Danger junction

A DANDENONG intersection is Melbourne’s deadliest, according to recent VicRoads crash data.
The intersection where the Princes Highway meets Centre and Springvale Roads has had more crashes than any other intersection in Melbourne.
There were a total of 207 crashes of which 96 resulted in death or serious injury in the four years to 2004. Of those most occurred in dry conditions during daylight hours.
The second worst was the St Kilda intersection of Barkly Street, Fitzroy Street and St Kilda Road with 68 casualty crashes.
Senior Sergeant Alan Dew from Dandenong Traffic Management Unit said the intersection was very large with three major roads meeting, and could be confusing.
Sen Sgt Dew said both VicRoads and Victoria Police continually reviewed the intersection to find ways to make it as safe as possible.
“People need to be careful at the way they approach it,” he said. “If the light turns amber, stop. Don’t run the light. There is such a large distance to the other side of the intersection and that is when accidents can occur.”
Sen Sgt Dew said police often patrolled the intersection to check for drivers running red lights and speeding.
He said the police also ran major booze bus operations in that area. “Drivers have got to take responsibility and drive safely within the speed limits and within their capabilities and obey the traffic signals,” he said.