Residents brace for road death

By Paul Dunlop
RESIDENTS are calling for slower speed limits between Pakenham and Gembrook saying they live in fear that somebody will be killed.
Katrina and Bill Roob and neighbours are lobbying to have the speed limit near their homes reduced to 60 kilometres per hour.
The calls follow a recent collision involving a motorcyclist and a truck.
Residents claim the area is extremely dangerous for motorists unless they travel far slower than speed zones in the area currently allow.
Mrs Roob said she also recently had a collision with another car at the entry to her driveway. The Roobs live on Gembrook Road, near Clink Road.
Mrs Roob said roadside vegetation obscured visibility in the area.
She said trying to turn into her driveway with cars travelling at up to 100 km/h towards her was a frightening experience.
“I consider I am lucky to be alive,” Mrs Roob said.
“I am forever in fear that family members and friends who come to visit will get hurt or killed at the entrance to our driveway.
“Both we and our neighbours have frequently had people knocking on our door at all hours seeking assistance and to use the phone when they have come off the road and their car has landed in the roadside ditch due to the bends in the road and probably driving too fast.”
Mrs Roob said there had never been a fatal accident on this section of Gembrook Road but was concerned it would only be a matter of time.
The Roobs are hoping to lobby VicRoads to change the speed limit to 60 kilometres per hour.
“I was very pleased when the speed limit on HealesvilleKooweerup Road was reduced to 60 kilometres per hour between Army Road and the roundabout where Gembrook Road begins,” she said.
“I would like to see that speed limit continued along the first section of Gembrook Road because the 1.5 kilometre section of road, between Clink Road entry and where Clink Road rejoins Gembrook Road is a most dangerous and winding section of road.”
Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association president Gloria O’Connor has supported Mrs Roob’s bid.
Ms O’Connor, who lives at Pakenham Upper, said the traffic flow in the area had increased enormously over the past five years.
Ms O’Connor said driving conditions in the area had become much safer since the speed limit was reduced between Army Road and the Gembrook Road.