RACV releases final results from inaugural My Melbourne Road survey

RACV has released the final results of its inaugural My Melbourne Road survey, receiving feedback from 5,000 motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users on their safety concerns of Melbourne’s transport network.

Overview of key findings:

• Overly complex intersections were the top safety issue identified.
• One-third of respondents called for lower speed zones on roads they use often.
• The most vulnerable road users – cyclists and pedestrians – were the most-highly represented in the feedback.
• Three of the roads with the most number of responses include Strategic Cycling Corridors, indicating that our Strategic Cycling Corridors are not safe enough for cyclists.
• Many of the solutions identified by respondents are low-cost and easy to implement, including zebra crossings and better-positioned traffic lights.

Full survey results can be found in the inaugural RACV My Melbourne Road storybook, available to download here (PDF, 15MB).

Moonee Valley’s Mount Alexander Road – where it meets with Keilor Road – received the most responses for safety concerns in both the road and intersection categories.

Participants said that Mount Alexander Road has several confusing roundabouts, was dangerous for pedestrians attempting to cross the road and had a lack of protected cycling infrastructure.

Dandenong Road running through Windsor, Prahran and Caulfield received the second highest number of responses, followed in third place by Sydney Road in Brunswick and Coburg.

RACV Head of Policy James Williams highlighted the most vulnerable road users – cyclists and pedestrians – were the most highly represented in the feedback. 

“Of the 5,000 safety concerns raised by participants, intersection safety was the area of greatest concern, followed by unsafe behaviours of other drivers, such as speeding and erratic driving,” Mr Williams said.

“One-third of participants also identified that a lower speed limit on their nominated road would improve safety.”

The My Melbourne Road survey used an interactive online map, inviting participants to have their say about safety concerns on any road or intersection across Melbourne’s 31 local government areas.

Participants were able to provide comments and potential solutions to address their concerns.

“The survey results suggest that unsafe driving was heightened in congested traffic. These findings are a reminder that investment in road infrastructure is critical to improving safety and that motorists also need to drive safely and to the traffic conditions,” Mr Williams said.

“Whether it’s driving at a safe speed, keeping a safe distance or not using a portable device while driving, we can all do our part to make our roads safer.”

Notably, four of the roads and intersections with the most number of responses identified by participants had pedestrian or cyclist related safety issues as a primary concern.

“Pedestrian traffic lights where they are most needed, traffic calming infrastructure and protected cycling lanes were commonly identified as potential solutions in the feedback from cyclists and pedestrians,” Mr Williams said.

Other solutions identified included resurfacing potholes, intersection design, improving lighting and ensuring speed limits are fit for purpose. 

RACV will share the My Melbourne Road survey results with governments and advocate for improvements to the roads identified by participants.

10 roads with the most number of responses in Melbourne:

10 intersections with the most number of responses in Melbourne: