VicRoads has revealed it is investigating a notorious Ballarat freeway exit after a man died in hospital from injuries sustained in a crash this week.
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The 75-year-old was driving east from Ararat on the Western Freeway before he took the Midland Highway exit to enter Ballarat about 12.15pm on Monday.
But as he turned onto the Midland Highway he failed to give way to his right, smashing into another vehicle that was driving north from Ballarat towards Creswick.
The elderly Ararat driver suffered critical injuries in the collision and was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Doctors were unable to save him and he died on Tuesday night.
The driver of the second car that was travelling north, a 41-year-old Mount Pleasant man, was not injured and was not at fault in the collision, police said.
The crash has thrust the safety of the Midland Highway north of Ballarat back under the spotlight just months after the state government listed it as one of the most dangerous arterial roads in Victoria.
VicRoads’ safe system infrastructure program director Bryan Sherritt confirmed yesterday the road authority was looking into ramping up safety measures at the Midland Highway’s intersection with the Western Freeway.
“My thoughts go out to this man’s family and friends during this difficult time,” he said.
“VicRoads is investigating ways to make this intersection safe as part the Victorian government’s $12 million upgrade of the Midland Highway between Ballarat and Creswick.”
“We expect to finalise the designs for this stretch of road by the end of the year and will continue to engage with the community about this important project.”
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Acting Sergeant Tony Creanor, who belongs to the Highway Patrol, said he had attended a previous collision at the same intersection of the Western Freeway and Midland Highway earlier this year.
“(Another) elderly gentleman in the same circumstances failed to give way, but fortunately for him, there were no injuries,” Acting Sergeant Creanor said.
“That’s why intersections are signposted, to give way or to stop.
“We ask motorists to take care, drive to the conditions, and just be aware of their surroundings.”
The state's road toll for the year has now climbed to 207 compared to 242 at this time in 2016.
