By Prealene Khera
Punctuated most days with the sound of screeching brakes and sharp honks, Sunbury’s notorious Station and Evans streets intersection is a hot spot for frequent near-misses, and collisions – prompting demands for necessary change before a “disaster” occurs.
Roughly hundreds of cars go through the busy intersection daily, with “10 to 20 vehicles waiting to turn right every minute”.
It is alleged the section has become “dangerous” in the absence of a permanent right-turn arrow signal at Station Street, as well as motorists flouting common road rules and doing the “wrong thing”.
Last week, Jacksons Hill resident Giselle Robinson expressed her frustration regarding the situation through a social media post, which has since garnered over 80 comments backing her anger.
“I was actually surprised that no one really disagreed with me,” she said.
“It goes to show that it’s not just a problem for me, it’s a problem for a lot of people at the moment.”
Ms Robinson, who uses the intersection at least once a day, has been nearly hit three times.
“I’ve had to become really vigilant,” she said.
“I have also seen collisions happen right there, it can be scary.
“In my experience, a common cause of these accidents is people disobeying the give way rule.”
According to Transport Victoria, unless traffic lights direct you, when turning right you must give way to oncoming vehicles going straight through the intersection or turning left.
“Maybe it would help to have a sign at the intersection that explicitly stated that rule,” Ms Robinson said.
“That could potentially avoid more accidents or near-misses – I’m not completely sure what can be done but hopefully this makes a difference.”
Tyrepower owner Frank Buffone, whose business is located in an exposed corner of the intersection, is in agreement.
“I don’t know what the solution is but I know something’s got to change before a severe incident forces that change,” he said.
Mr Buffone has operated out of the same spot since 2019, and in that time has witnessed the town undergo a significant population shift.
“It’s growing so quickly so there are more cars around and that’s made it a bit worse – drivers have become impatient on the roads,” he said.
“Everyday we see people running the ambers and the reds. In the past 12 months, we’ve seen three major incidents.
“I am concerned that someone could get seriously injured, we don’t want to see any disasters happening especially with Christmas approaching.”
As an automotive store, Mr Buffone said his focus is on safety, however there’s a level of risk attached to the location which he wishes to mitigate.
“In the past, the venue opposite us has been impacted and it could just as easily happen to us,” he said.
“I’ve got to think about my customers, the kids, and my staff so I’m pushing for more safety measures to be put in place immediately.”
Local driving school instructor George Pamilacan said one of those measures should involve a permanent right-turn traffic signal.
“It needs to stay there and not disappear because when it’s absent, that’s when the commotion starts,” Mr Pamilacan said.
“Everybody is flying out there and some are trying to turn into oncoming traffic.
“I don’t think more signage would work, that would only confuse people. Council needs to replicate other local intersections and have a constant right turn signal directing drivers.”
A Hume council spokesperson said the organisation’s “prime objective is to ensure roads are safe for all residents, and will make adjustments accordingly”.
According to council, a review of the Evans Street and Station Street intersection has been scheduled for early next year to assess the capacity of the intersection, as well as a crash analysis.
“As part of this review, council will consider the installation of an electronic ‘Give way to pedestrian’ signs for the relevant right-turn approaches,” the spokesperson added.
