Following a number of crashes at a North Griffith intersection, Griffith City Council will be installing stop signs on both the Noorilla Street approaches to Boonah Street with the view of improving the safety of drivers at the site.
During its monthly meeting on Tuesday 9 December, the Local Traffic Committee discussed the crash history of the site after another crash was reported at the intersection late last month. That crash resulted in two people being conveyed to hospital.
Recent assessments of the intersection show there is extensive sight distance in both directions along Boonah Street when approaching from Noorilla Street, yet drivers are still not giving way to other vehicles - therefore crashes occur. It is thought the afternoon sun may have been a factor in several recent crashes.
Council's Chair of the Traffic Committee, Councillor Anne Napoli, said that additional treatment at the location is required in an effort to mitigate crashes and a stop sign was the next step up from the give way sign that currently controls the intersection.
"All road crashes cause trauma so we need to emphasise a driver's obligations to approach and proceed through an intersection with greater caution. "Cr Napoli said. "The installation of a stop sign is about creating safer roads rather than anything else so I urge drivers to be aware of their environment, stop at the stop sign then continue through only when safe." Cr Napoli said.
Following a recommendation from the Traffic Committee in 2024, Council applied for funding in March this year via the Federal Government's Black Spots Program to construct a round-about at the intersection. The assessment of that application is still with the funding body therefore its outcome remains unknown.
Stop signs and enhanced line marking will replace the existing give way signs in the coming weeks therefore Council is encouraging drivers to be aware of the changes when using the intersection.
