THE New England Highway between Belford and Whittingham is a death trap – nine lives in 11 years.
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And, on Thursday afternoon, tragically another two lives were lost – two young local women who were just starting to make their way in the world. The heartache of this loss is unimaginable.
I drive on that section of road every day; so do my daughters, two of whom are on P-plates and we, along we our friends and all other regular users, know how dangerous that section is
especially for drivers unfamiliar with its sudden third merge on the southbound lane.
As a journalist for The Argus, I have unfortunately had to attend too many accidents at that site.
Our paper has written about the problems and highlighted the issues with the RMS and state and federal politicians.
We say enough is enough and could the road please be fixed.
A flyover and the construction of a dual carriageway between the end of the expressway at Belford and intersection of the Golden Highway are needed to solve the problem.
But, that will take years of planning and building.
So, in the meantime, perhaps the RMS should consider lowering the speed limit on the southbound lanes, install the wire dividing barriers as they have along nearby sections of the highway and even in the interim some warning signs.
But, one thing we can all do is drive with care, show patience and courtesy on the road and remember that being one vehicle in front is simply not worth the effort.