FRIGHT OF WAY
Shocking footage revealed of wrong way driver
FRIGHTENING footage of a car being driven on the wrong side of a busy Torquay road has sparked a renewed push for greater tourist-targeted road signs and driver education.
Torquay father Shanan Greenhough captured the horrifying dashcam footage of a 4WD on the wrong side of The Esplanade driving directly towards him on on Sunday.
“I got the shock of my life ... I had my daughter in the car and I feared for our safety,” he said.
FRIGHTENING footage of a driver on the wrong side of the road at Torquay’s Esplanade has sparked a renewed push for greater tourist-targeted road signs and education.
Surf Coast residents have pleaded for authorities to install more signage along the Great Ocean Road after horrifying dashcam footage showing a driver on the wrong side of The Esplanade heading directly into oncoming traffic was circulated on social media.
Torquay motorcyclist Jeremy Ham says targeted multilingual electronic signs need to be installed during peak tourism times such as last weekend’s Chinese New Year period, and has also called for a greater police presence.
Mr Ham was one of many frustrated residents who contacted the Geelong Advertiser after witnessing erratic and dangerous driving along the Great Ocean Road at the weekend.
Torquay father Shanan Greenhough recorded the hor- rifying dashcam footage of a silver 4WD on the wrong side of the road coming directly towards him on The Esplanade in central Torquay on Sunday.
“I got the shock of my life ... I had my daughter in the car and I feared for our safety,” he said.
Luckily, the car was only travelling 50km/h and avoided oncoming traffic without incident.
Mr Greenhough reported the incident to police who told him the vehicle was registered to a Tullamarine hire car company.
Another resident, who declined to be named, said many drivers simply did not know the road rules or speed limits and were unable to read signs.
Beth Colliss reported witnessing a driver stopping at each exit of a Torquay roundabout yesterday. Another driver recently saw a car drive across an intersection without looking or giving way.
Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism chief Liz Price acknowledged events including Chinese New Year had led to an influx of local and international tourists travelling along the Great Ocean Road in recent weeks. She said authorities needed to take “a multifaceted approach” to educating and informing drivers to promote safety along tourist hot spots.
Following a number of fatal collisions in December, the State Government launched an education campaign targeting international drivers using bilingual videos, digital advertising, social media and promotional materials within hire vehicles. The program is modelled on the successful New Zealand international driver safety project and supported by the major vehicle rental companies.
But Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said the “shocking” video clip showed more needed to be done.
“Just this week I raised this issue in federal Parliament calling on the Victorian Government to implement a better education regimen for international drivers,” Ms Henderson said. “To see further evidence of these incidents happening just reinforces my resolve. Daniel Andrews must take urgent action. Next time the drivers may not be so lucky.”
VicRoads is currently working with Great Ocean Road tourism groups on a signage strategy.
Anglesea police Leading Senior Constable Trevor Purcell urged drivers to remain vigilant and to report any erratic or illegal behaviour to police.