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 Anger after girl, 9, nearly hit in Eureka Street crash 

Anger after girl, 9, nearly hit in Eureka Street crash

10 Feb, 2012 08:22 AM
EUREKA Street residents are demanding action following another two serious car accidents along the road yesterday.

In the latest accident, a 47-year-old driver crashed his station wagon into a parked car about 5pm, narrowly missing a young girl.

Earlier, a 24-year-old man was lucky to escape with minor injuries after crashing his vehicle about 5.15am.

Last month the same stretch of road saw three serious accidents in 24 hours, leading local residents to call for an urgent safety upgrade.

Eureka Street resident Simone Collins said the station wagon in yesterday afternoon’s crash came within a metre of her 9-year-old daughter, Emma, who was standing in the driveway of their home.

“There was a very huge bang and I turned and saw what had happened,” she said.

“Emma was running away and screaming and got a very bad fright but she was very concerned about the man who was injured.”

The parked car was pushed 15 metres along the road during the crash near Macdonald Street.

The driver was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital with minor injuries.

Mrs Collins and Eureka Street Fish & Chips shop owner Michelle Harris said most people living on the street were fed up with speeding drivers.


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“We’ve been here for five-and-a-half years and there have been more than a few accidents in that time,” Ms Salter said.

“The council has re-painted the white lines on the road, but something else definitely needs to be done.”

The 24-year-old driver involved in the early morning crash yesterday was driving east along Eureka Street when he lost control and veered off the road.

His car flattened a bus stop sign and snapped a telephone pole before it rolled and landed against a fence in a vacant block of land near the Otway Street intersection.

Ballarat Police Sergeant Peter Carey said the man — the only occupant in the car — was taken to the Base Hospital with minor injuries.

What should be done about this? Have your say

“Investigations are ongoing — speed and alcohol will be investigated as part of that,” Sergeant Carey said.

When asked what the City of Ballarat planned to do to prevent more accidents occurring, Ballarat mayor Mark Harris said council encouraged drivers to “act responsibly”.

“The City of Ballarat undertakes regular reviews of our road networks to improve safety and traffic flow,” he said in a written statement.

“Improvements are made where ever necessary.”

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
Clearly drivers are not acting responsibly so its up to council to step in. If they don't there WILL be more accidents. Thank goodness that little girl did not get hit. Is council going to continue to say that drivers need to act responsibly if someone does get hit or heaven forbid, killed? There is a clear issue along this road & it needs to be dealt with now. Do something about the road issues BCC! You have a responsibility to keep the people of Ballarat safe!
Posted by oh for goodness sake, 9/02/2012 11:24:03 PM, on The Ballarat Courier
The pedestrain crossings around the lake especially the one near Mill St are not recognised as having pedestrian priority by half the drivers in Ballarat , while there are children and parents actually on the crossing before and after school, cars still persist in driving through these crossings . There should be rumble strips prior to the crossings to alert drivers to them or better still pedestrian lights were installed at these crossings.. Pedestrian crossings in Ballarat are a death trap
Posted by Death traps, 10/02/2012 4:54:00 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
Eureka Street is no better or worse than any other street in Ballarat for accidents. It was very unfortunate and no doubt frightening for this young girl, but you cannot legislate against human error and stupidity. Be very pleased she was not injured by this driver.
Posted by Over It, 10/02/2012 6:32:55 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
I can not see how lowering the speed limit will stop these drivers slowing down.

Mayor Harris said it in one drivers need to "act responsibly".

Grow up people drive slower and let the emergency services have a break.

People need to take care on the roads and be held accountable for their actions.

WAKE UP BALLARAT DRIVERS.

Posted by confused, 10/02/2012 7:36:41 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
Two words - "slow down".
Posted by Michael, 10/02/2012 8:35:34 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
Come on people Eureka St is not dangerous. What is dangerous about the road. Its the people behind the wheel that are dangerous not the roads. What are they going to do, put another roundabout in like they did in the middle of Burnbank St for absolutely NO REASON
Posted by JoeyHash, 10/02/2012 8:56:21 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
Please don't lower the speed limit along Eureka Street. Deal with idiots who don't deserve to drive on any road, at any time and give these fools proper punishment.
Posted by Balli, 10/02/2012 9:18:33 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
You're spot on "Confused", and those who refuse to pull over when the Blue & Reds are activated on a police car, take all responsibilty for what happens to them and anybody else, from that point on, until they stop.......suddenly or otherwise.

It's simple,,, DRIVE RESPONSIBLY.

Posted by Mustang65, 10/02/2012 9:23:44 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
31% of people are texting and using mobile phones. This is a serious issue. The problem with Eureka St is that it is not a 'text and drive friendly' street.

The accidents this year have been caused by irresponsible driving and nothing else. Book em.

Posted by Tackle the real issues, 10/02/2012 9:28:11 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
Come on people, this whole saga is becoming a huge joke. These accidents could happen in any street in Ballarat. The fact a girl was standing in her driveway is pure coincidence and bad timing. It is NOT reflective of a bad road or unsafe road. It could have been anyones child on any stretch of road on any driveway. This type of media coverage is nothing but a BEAT UP, to fuel emotions, trying to find a "new" angle on something that is barely a story. Move on people to more pressing issues in our region.
Posted by Get Real, 10/02/2012 9:49:31 AM, on The Ballarat Courier
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SCARE: Emma Collins in the driveway where she was almost hit by a car during a crash in Eureka Street yesterday.
SCARE: Emma Collins in the driveway where she was almost hit by a car during a crash in Eureka Street yesterday.
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POLL
Q: Are you concerned about crashes in Eureka Street, Ballarat East?

Yes, it's a dangerous spot
(40.9%)

No, drivers simply need to take more care
(59.1%)

Total Votes: 357
Poll Date: 13 January, 2012

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