The commitment by the NSW government to install interim safety features on the Princes Highway bend at Mondayong, where the Falkholt family died after a head-on collision with an Ulladulla man, is to be applauded.
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Rumble strips and a centreline wire barrier will help make the one bend safer but by no means is it a long-term solution to a stretch of highway that has many similar bends from Wandandian all the way down to Batemans Bay.
In the scheme of what is needed to make the highway safer, a commitment of $350,000 is a drop in the ocean – but at least it’s a start. Had the barrier been in place when Craig Whitall crossed to the wrong side of the highway on Boxing Day, it’s likely the terrible tragedy would have been averted.
The government concedes wire barriers are only interim measures and that separation and duplication is the long-term solution to bringing down the unacceptable road toll.
The downside to such barriers is the danger they pose to motorcyclists, who call them cheese graters. Lose control on a bike and you’re likely to be shredded. Motorcyclists are aware of this and sensible ones moderate their speed when navigating them.
The urgency of getting the highway up to scratch is borne out by the chilling prediction by emergency service personnel that more accidents are likely on the highway south of Nowra. They say this is because improvements north of Nowra mean city drivers enter the perilous two-hour fatigue zone at the very point the highway becomes more challenging. The roadside memorials between Wandandian and Milton are tragic evidence of the perils of travelling this stretch of highway.
Easter is just over three weeks away. Once again, holidaymakers will pour onto the highway, many travelling long distances without sufficient rest breaks.
If one bend can be made a little safer, that is a good thing. However, all of us – those who drive the highway for work, to get to medical appointments, to give birth at Shoalhaven Hospital – want to see the whole highway made a lot safer.
Our representatives need to make the case for adequate highway funding forcefully. We cannot wait for the Pacific Highway upgrade to be completed before that funding can be considered. That’s two years away. Action is needed now.
