Safety improvements for 14 McLaren Vale intersections
Published on 06 July 2023
Larger, more visible road signs have been installed at 14 intersections in McLaren Vale as part of a $4.2 million election commitment to improve road safety in the popular wine and tourism region.
The South Australian Government is working with the City of Onkaparinga to address ongoing concerns about collisions and close calls in the area by installing larger signs with yellow backing boards which are more noticeable to drivers, corner treatments, guideposts and line marking.
Combined, these safety measures will help drivers notice that they are approaching an intersection and encourage them to slow down and become more alert to their surroundings. Overall, 21 intersections in McLaren Vale have been identified as having a higher potential for crashes, with a range of solutions to be implemented.
Other treatments being considered include rural junction active warning systems, a compact roundabout and teardrop-shaped islands to make drivers more aware that they need to either stop or give way.
This program of works will provide a significant improvement to road safety throughout the McLaren Vale region. The use of these alternative, innovative treatments in McLaren Vale will pave the way for their use at other rural intersections across the state where there is a history of vehicles overshooting or failing to give way. A map of the intersections and information about the proposed treatments are available at yoursay.onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis
The McLaren Vale wine region relies on high levels of tourism, attracting many drivers who may be distracted or unfamiliar with the area.
A prevalence of four-way junctions can prove particularly hazardous for drivers, and in 2021 two crashes tragically resulted in the deaths of two community members.
The application of innovative treatments will result in significant and cost-effective improvements to road safety in the area, warning drivers that they are approaching an intersection and that care is needed to avoid any further tragedies.
This project is an opportunity for South Australia to showcase innovative treatments, such as the rural junction active warning signage, and our dedication to improving road safety across the state.
Quotes attributable to Leon Bignell
Without the $4.2 million funding committed by the Malinauskas Labor Government at the 2022 state election this important work would not have been possible. The 21 Intersection upgrade program is vitally important in improving the safety of our roads for locals and visitors to the region.
We have to take action – too many lives have been tragically lost in our community due to inattention on the roads. Every death or injury on local roads affects not just those involved and their families, but the broader community.
Quotes attributable to City of Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were
It’s great to see the first 14 of the 21 McLaren Vale intersection road safety upgrades coming to completion, which will help to ensure everyone gets home safely.
Council completed an audit into the region’s intersections in the wake of the two tragic fatal crashes in 2021, and since then we’ve worked tirelessly and collaboratively with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to do everything we can to reduce the prevalence of injury and trauma on our road network.
We’re grateful for the State Government’s $4.2 million commitment to this project, and for the community’s ongoing feedback on the upgrades. I urge everyone to play their part by driving so others survive, including by removing all distractions, sticking to the speed limit, and not driving while tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
This project is an excellent example of collaboration between state and local governments. Both DIT and the City of Onkaparinga have individual and shared responsibility for roads in the area, with DIT responsible for roads such as Main and Aldinga Roads, while council is responsible for adjoining or local roads such as Chalk Hill and Olivers Road.