Yarra Ranges residents are being asked to share how local roads can be made safer through the RACV My Melbourne Road survey, launched Thursday 2 March. Responses are being sought from all road users whether they ride a bike, drive a car or walk.
The My Melbourne Road survey uses an interactive map showing roads from 31 local council areas. Survey participants are able to provide feedback by dropping a pin and filling out information about how a section of road or intersection can be improved from a safety perspective.
The interactive map also shows participants where serious injuries and deaths have occurred on our roads between 2016 and 2019.
In 2022, 106 people died on Melbourne roads. This shows no improvement with the four year average between 2018 and 2021 which was 105. In addition, the first 44 days of 2023 has seen 17 fatalities on Melbourne roads. An increase in rainfall and severe weather events as a result of a La Niña weather phase has led to an increase in potholes, flash flooding and safety hazards.
Melbourne recorded 33 pedestrian deaths and 8 cyclist deaths in 2022. For pedestrians, the four year average between 2018 and 2021 was 25 and 6 for cyclists.
RACV General Manager Automotive Services Jackie Pedersen said the My Melbourne Road survey provides an excellent opportunity for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to highlight road and driving conditions that have given them cause for concern and assist RACV in achieving a safer road environment for all modes of transport.
“RACV really wants to know what Melburnians think about the roads, intersections and routes that make up their daily commutes,” Ms Pedersen said.
“For example, is the speed limit too high? Are certain lanes too narrow? Is there inadequate signage that could lead to collisions? Have potholes or deteriorating road surfaces made a certain road dangerous to travel on?
“When talking about Melbourne roads, it’s not just drivers we’re hoping to hear from. We want to be a voice for everyone including pedestrians, bike riders and public transport users. This is your chance to speak up and be heard.”
Ms Pedersen said RACV will share the input from survey participants with all levels of government.
“We want to gather as much data as we can to so that we can highlight and encourage meaningful changes that can deliver safety improvements and help save lives,” Ms Pederson said.
The My Melbourne Road survey follows RACV’s My Country Road survey in 2021, which saw more than 4,000 Victorians provide feedback on the state of Victoria’s regional and rural roads. In the survey, 31 roads were highlighted as having serious safety issues. Of these, 16 have seen infrastructure upgrades commence or committed to by government.
Take the My Melbourne Road survey online at www.racv.com.au/mymelbourneroad
