By Jeremy Rochow
Published: Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Despite getting a $3.5 million upgrade, the notorious Blackwood roundabout has claimed the unwanted title as SA’s riskiest intersection in the 2019 RAA Risky Roads Survey.
The intersection, which received the second-most votes in 2017, took the top spot in the 2019 survey, with drivers concerned about the roundabout’s poor layout, confusing signage, line marking and inappropriate speed limit.
Since the 2017 survey was released, the roundabout has been reconstructed, and line markings altered in attempt improve the intersection.
However, Risky Roads Survey respondents were still concerned about the operation of the roundabout.
RAA’s 2019 Risky Roads Survey gave motorists and other road users the opportunity to nominate a road or intersection they believe needs repairs or major upgrades.
More than 1300 people completed the survey this year, with 921 drivers nominating roads and another 422 submitting concerns about intersections.
The Horrocks Hwy was named the riskiest road in 2019 – another location that featured in the 2017 Risky Roads Survey.
Top 10 nominated intersections
| Intersection | Top 3 issues raised | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackwood roundabout | Poor or confusing layout, confusing signs or line marking, inappropriate speed limit. |
| 2 | Main South Rd, Tatachilla Rd and Maslin Beach Rd, Tatachilla | Inadequate crossing or turning opportunity, inappropriate speed limit, lacks traffic signals. |
| 3 | Main North Rd, Port Wakefield Rd and Grand Junction Rd, Gepps Cross | Poor or confusing intersection layout, inadequate crossing or turning opportunities, confusing signs or line marking. |
| 4 | South Eastern Fwy, Portrush Rd, Cross Rd and Glen Osmond Rd, Glen Osmond | Inadequate crossing or turning opportunities, lack of cycling lanes, inefficient traffic signals. |
| 5 | Victor Harbor Rd, Seaview Rd and Budgens Rd, McLaren Vale | Inadequate crossing or turning opportunity, confusing intersection layout, inappropriate speed limit. |
| 6 | Morphett Rd and Anzac Hwy, Camden Park | Inefficient traffic signals, poor sight distance, confusing layout. |
| 7 | Port Wakefield Rd, Copper Coast Hwy and Augusta Hwy, Port Wakefield | Poor or confusing intersection layout, inappropriate speed limit, inadequate crossing or turning opportunity. |
| 8 | Main North Rd, Fitzroy Tce And Robe Tce, Medindie | Poor or confusing intersection layout, confusing signs or line marking, inefficient traffic signals. |
| 9 | Renmark Ave (Sturt Hwy) and Twentyfirst St, Renmark | Inadequate crossing or turning opportunity, lacks traffic signals, poor or confusing intersection layout. |
| 10 | Cross Rd and Waite Rd, Urrbrae | Lacks traffic signals, inadequate crossing or turning opportunity, poor or confusing intersection layout. |
Survey participants highlighted the uneven road surface, potholes or cracks and crumbling road edges along the Horrocks Hwy.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and infrastructure Charles Mountain said the Horrocks Hwy’s title as the riskiest road in SA highlighted the need for major upgrades along the highway.
“There were 107 casualty crashes resulting in 6 deaths and 156 injuries along the Horrocks Hwy between 2014 and 2018,” Mr Mountain said.
“While the federal and state government have both committed to a combined $55 million towards repairs, the casualty crashes and survey results highlight the need for work to be undertaken as soon as possible.
“Some minor repairs have been made since the 2017 Risky Roads Survey, however improvements like surface repairs, shoulder sealing and additional overtaking lanes need to be completed.”
Respondents in the 2019 survey were most concerned about road surface issues along the Horrocks Hwy, with 89% of people mentioning uneven or undulating surfaces.
They also frequently raised issues about crumbling edges, potholes and a lack of overtaking opportunities.
Top 10 nominated roads
| Road | Top 3 issues raised | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Horrocks Hwy | Uneven surface, potholes or cracks, crumbling road edges. |
| 2 | Main South Rd (Aldinga to Sellicks Beach) | Uneven surface, potholes or cracks, crumbling road edges. |
| 3 | Main North Rd (Gepps Cross to Salisbury Heights) | Confusing road layout, uneven surface, potholes or crack. |
| 4 | South Eastern Fwy (Mt Barker to Glen Osmond) | Potholes and cracks, uneven surface, lack of overtaking opportunities. |
| 5 | Owen Rd | Uneven surface, potholes or cracks, crumbling road edges. |
| 6 | Victor Harbor Rd | Lack of overtaking opportunities, uneven surface, crumbling road edges. |
| 7 | Upper Yorke Rd (Maitland to Arthurton) | Uneven surface, crumbling road edges, potholes or cracks. |
| 8 | Caddy Rd, Loveday | Rough or Slippery Surface, potholes or cracks. uneven surface. |
| 9 | Riddoch Hwy | Lack of overtaking opportunities, uneven surface, crumbling road edges. |
| 10 | Salisbury Hwy (Port Wakefield Rd to South Rd) | Uneven surface, potholes or cracks, rough or slippery surface. |
Overall, more than half of survey respondents who raised concerns about roads mentioned issues like potholes, cracks, crumbling road edges and uneven or undulating surface.
People who nominated an intersection cited problems with design, signage, line marking, signals or lighting.
Mr Mountain said understanding the issues with the nominated roads and intersections would help RAA campaign for improvements.
“The fact there were 1,007 casualty crashes resulting in 31 deaths and 1,353 injuries along the 10 riskiest roads between 2014 and 2018 highlights that upgrades and repairs need to be undertaken to reduce the overall level of risk to all road users,” Mr Mountain said.
“RAA will continue advocating for repairs and upgrades to be made to these roads.”
“Some of these roads and intersections are already earmarked for repairs and major upgrades.”