Time to slow things down

A map showing the affected areas.

By Casey Neill

Lower speed zones could slow central Dandenong, in a bid to boost pedestrian safety.
VicRoads metro south-east operations director Michael Barker said the busy area had a history of crashes involving pedestrians, so the authority was investigating ways to improve safety.
Raised flat-top platforms to create safer crossing points are also on the table.
“Since August, we’ve been consulting with the community, local council, traders and residents about the improvements they would like to see,” he said.
“We’re currently reviewing this feedback and will get back to the community with final plans early in the New Year.”
There were 38 crashes involving pedestrians recorded in the area between 2012 and 2016, including 16 resulting in serious injuries.
Pedestrians in Dandenong were involved in 85 crashes between 2011 and 2015. Three people lost their lives and 42 suffered serious injuries.
The Dandenong Central Pedestrian Project is part of the State Government’s Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan.
This aims to reduce the number of lives lost on the roads to fewer than 200 people and serious injuries by 15 per cent, by 2020.