Thoughtless, heartless and even idiotic are other words that spring to mind when you hear stories about drivers speeding through these areas just to save themselves a few minutes of their so-called busy day.

Not only are they breaking the law by speeding through these roadwork zones, they are also putting at risk the lives of people who use these areas, like young children on their bikes, families going about their business of taking their pets for a stroll or going for a leisurely walk around the neighbourhood.

So when you hear from parents concerned about their own children’s safety as drivers speed along a service road to avoid roadworks, it’s enough to make your blood boil.

Some Miners Rest residents have voiced fears for their children’s safety after their lives were put at risk by the sheer stupidity of motorists speeding through a service road to avoid the Howe Street roadworks.

Concerned mother Amber Cubitt said drivers were using the service road to race temporary traffic lights and avoid congestion on the 40km/h stretch of road. 

“There are walkers with dogs and prams, families walking along the service road because there is no footpath, and our kids ride along it to and from school,” Ms Cubitt said.

The Miners Rest mother said she, who had also been the victim of close calls with motorists in the street, now felt scared for the safety of residents using the area.

Miners Rest residents have now called for an increased police presence and the installation of temporary speed bumps on the service road to act as a deterrent for these speeding drivers.

While these are admirable deterrents, it really comes down to the respect drivers afford people that is going to save injury, or worse.

It shouldn’t be up to police, local residents, VicRoads or even the developers of areas to ensure the safety of locals. It should be the motorists themselves who obey the laws and show some respect.

Do we have to wait for a tragedy for motorists to realise that?

To these speeding motorists: “Put yourselves in the pedestrians’ shoes when you decide to put your foot on the accelerator.”