Safety Concerns with Overgrown Roundabouts

The latest early morning truck crash in Coffs Harbour on Friday has raised the question whether overgrown roundabouts and the lack of ripples on the road may add to the problem.

A number of locals have contacted Triple M regarding the safety problems that some gardens, and in some instances full size trees, cause when it comes to visibility of the road ahead, crossing pedestrians and oncoming vehicles in the area.

Two roundabouts of main concern to listeners include the one on Albany Street and Earl Street, where a man using a motorised scooter was hit by a 4WD recently after gardens were so high that neither the driver or pedestrian could see each other.

The Englands Road roundabout is also a concern heading northbound on the Pacific Highway, the site of many crashes.

While fatigue often plays a factor, the thick growth on this roundabout also blocks any view for motorists of the road ahead.

According to RMS guidelines, “if used, trees must not be planted in a configuration that will impede road user sight lines or be in a location that might obstruct errant vehicles unable to stop at the roundabout”.

It continues on to say that “trees should be frangible with a high crown”.

While the Pacific Highway roundabout is not a council road, Triple M understands that maintenance work of both roundabouts still comes under the Coffs Harbour City Council.

According to RMS, the landscaping and maintenance of roundabouts and intersections on regional and local roads is the responsibility of local council.

On state roads, the responsibility rests with Roads and Maritime Services, however the landscaping is managed by local council.

Roads and Maritime works with local councils to ensure landscaping does not affect traffic safety on roundabouts on local and regional roads.

Other suggestions from locals include the installation of ripples on the road in the lead up to the roundabouts to alert motorists through their vibration.

Coffs Harbour City Council have been contacted for comment.