My adjournment is for the Minister for Police, and the action I seek is that the minister update me on the efforts being made to improve driver compliance and pedestrian safety around the intersection of Leakes Road and Clearwood Drive. As the minister knows, this intersection near Truganina P–9 College can be dangerous, especially for our local kids, as some drivers do not slow down despite the traffic signs. Numerous children have been hit by cars at this intersection when travelling to and from their school. As a result, many parents with kids at Trug P–9 college have raised with me their concerns for their children’s safety, something that any parent would do. As a parent myself, I would not want either of my kids to be at risk while travelling to or from school, and I share this worry with them.
Truganina local Nick Ladbrooke has also led community members in calling for action on this very issue. I know that safety on our roads is a key priority of this government, and I am pleased to see that due to this advocacy a range of actions have been taken to improve safety in and around this intersection. This includes increasing the signalisation times at the intersection – rates to help pedestrians cross – from 8 seconds to 21 seconds; that actually does make a big difference, and the red time for both right-turning lanes.
On top of this, we have also installed 40-kilometre-per-hour road signs, and we are working with the Department of Transport and Planning on a speed review and with Victoria Police to improve driver compliance. VicPol has also tasked regular patrols to the area and increased the deployment of local mobile camera sites. Since then, local residents have noticed a decrease in accidents at this intersection and safer driving overall. This is great news for Truganina and particularly for the community at Truganina P–9 College. As a member of Parliament and a parent of school-age children, the safety of our kids is a top priority for me, and I know it is for the minister. That is why I would appreciate an update on the positive impact these efforts are having on compliance and safety for my local community.
