RACV released the results of its My Country Road survey, in which more than 7,000 Victorians provided important data on the safety of regional roads across the state.
Potholes and poor road conditions were the top issues identified, with an overwhelming 64 per cent of participants identifying these as the primary safety issue, up from 46 per cent in 2021.
Potholes are a major safety risk for drivers as they try and avoid damaging their vehicles. Swerving to avoid a pothole at the last moment is dangerous as drivers may lose control of their vehicles or swerve into oncoming traffic.
In the state’s eastern region, the Murray Valley Highway was listed among the top three worst roads, along with the Princes Highway, Stratford to Bairnsdale and the Great Alpine Road, Bairnsdale to Wangaratta.
The Melba Highway from Coldstream to Yea received the most responses regarding safety concerns, followed by Tylden-Woodend Road from Woodend to Tylden, Kilmore Road from Monegeetta to Gisborne, and the Goulburn Valley Highway from Nagambie to Shepparton.
The most dangerous intersection in regional Victoria was identified as the junction of the Midland Highway and Howard Street in Epsom, north of Bendigo.
Overall, 14 per cent of participants supported ‘a lower or more appropriate speed limit’ as a measure to improve road safety. That response rose to 56 per cent on the top 12 worst roads, highlighting that many Victorians believe reducing the speed on highly dangerous roads is an appropriate approach.
RACV will use the survey data to encourage the state government and local councils to make commitments that will deliver safer regional roads.
The full results of the My Country Road survey are available at racv.com.au/haveyoursay
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