ROAD surfaces continue to be the major concern of Victorian motorists, but Ballarat roads are not considered among the worst in the state, according to survey results released by the RACV.
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More than 4000 Victorians took part in the annual survey, with 46 per cent of respondents sighting pot holes and road conditions as their biggest issue on the roads, other than erratic drivers.
After a wet winter, Ballarat residents have had their say on potholes, with many telling The Courier in August about their issues across the city.
But according to the RACV, Ballarat roads don't even rate a mention on the statewide list, with the biggest concerns in the region being Gisborne Rd/Bacchus Marsh Rd in the Moorabool Shire and Bacchus Marsh Rd, Baliang East, also in Moorabool.
The concern about the conditions of the roads in Ballarat last month was based not only on a wet winter, but also due to the city's population boom.
WORST ROADS: Tell us what are the worst roads here
The City of Ballarat has a $2 million reactive road maintenance budget.
Robert McIntosh from the 'Ballarat's Worst Roads' Facebook group told The Courier in August the city was struggling under the weight of a greater population.
"A classic is Dyson Drive - with a whole lot of new development going on, the roads are in really bad condition out there, and there's a whole lot of trucks and heavy vehicles fraying the edges, but at the same time, there's big pot holes in the middle," he said.
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The Princes Highway from Stratford to Bairnsdale in East Gippsland was the most complained about road in the state followed by The Deans Marsh-Lorne Road in Benwerrin, Surf Coast and the Warburton Highway at Woori Yallock in the Yarra Ranges had the third highest number of responses.
The My Country Road survey used an interactive map showing high-speed roads with large concentrations of crashes causing death or serious injury in regional Victoria. It sought comments from people with local knowledge.
Survey participants provided their feedback on 169 roads across the state, highlighting each spot by dropping a pin onto a map and providing feedback on their concerns.
Interestingly, while pot holes and road surfaces were the most complained about issues, the majority of respondents (61 per cent) said speed limit reductions were required in a number of the worst spots.
The south-west region of the state saw the most individual complaints overall.
RACV executive general manager motoring and mobility, Phil Turnbull said the results of the survey helped to form the RACV's policies going forward, suggesting the current time was a rare opportunity to focus on country roads while Melbourne remains in lockdown.
"As a safety advocate, it's important that RACV closely examines what Victorians think are the factors contributing to less safe conditions, so we can provide that information to government to help inform their planning," he said.
"(A total of) 61 per cent of respondents believe the speed limit on the selected roads should be reduced until improvements or upgrades have been made, highlighting that many Victorians believe reducing the speed on certain regional roads to address safety concerns is an appropriate approach.
Top issues respondents identified as contributing to how safe the roads are:
- 46% - Dangerous behaviours of other drivers (e.g. Speeding, erratic driving)
- 46% - Pot holes / road condition
- 44% - Narrow lanes/road
- 41% - Limited overtaking opportunities
- 36% - Intersection safety issues
State-wide top voted solutions:
- 43% - Improve road surface
- 42% - Wider shoulders (edges of road)
- 31% - Wider lanes
- 30% - Intersection safety improvements
- 24% - Bicycle safety improvements
TELL US BALLARAT'S WORST ROADS HERE
