Crash attention on road’s dangers

By KATH GANNAWAY
LILYDALE police are calling for witnesses to a crash on Maroondah Highway on Friday afternoon 27 July.
The circumstances around the crash about 4.15pm at the turn-off into Oakridge Winery are still under investigation by Lilydale police.
The drivers of two vehicles involved in the crash were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police and Coldstream CFA volunteers at the scene said the location of the crash and the extent of damage to the vehicles held the potential for a much more tragic outcome while witnesses again raised issues including the need for a lowering of the 100 kilometre speed limit, for improved turning and overtaking lanes to accommodate the increasing number of cars turning off the highway into tourist venues and more warning signs.
The site of the crash is at a dip in the highway.
Coldstream CFA captain John Fenton said the Maroondah Highway was getting busier and said the location of the winery, between two crests, called for a turning lane, but he also said drivers need to be more switched on to the possibility that they will come over a rise to be confronted with drivers waiting to turn.
“Something like this was inevitable and I believe there should be a right-hand turn lane there, but people also have to take more account,” he said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Senior Constable Jocelyn Price at Lilydale Police on 9739 2300.