Traffic safety issues

Enforcement of speeding, hooning, and other anti-social driving behaviour is the responsibility of Victoria Police. Residents can report these incidents to Victoria Police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, providing as much detail as possible to help identify offenders and hotspot areas. Victoria Police has the authority to impound vehicles for various offenses, including participating in races, dangerous driving, excessive speeding, and driving while disqualified or suspended.

Traffic congestion is a pressing issue that significantly affects the efficiency and quality of life in cities across the globe. To effectively tackle this challenge, governments must adopt a cohesive strategy that harnesses technology, optimises traffic flow, prioritises alternative modes of transport, and embraces well-managed congestion. It is worth noting that, to some degree, congestion can be accepted if traffic continues to move through areas in coordinated "blocks," while also adopting a responsible approach to traffic safety and road demand.

Road infrastructure elements combine to play a critical role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of our transport network. Council monitors and maintains these elements in accordance with our Road Management Plan, which outlines our commitment to providing a safe and reliable road infrastructure.

Residents are encouraged to report any road-related issues, including:

• Faded or non-functioning line marking
• Damaged or incorrect signage
• Road damage and faults
• Sight distance concerns
• Requests for new line marking and signage, including changes
• General road improvements
• Requests for new street lighting

Once a resident submission is received, it will be carefully reviewed and validated by Council's Traffic Engineers. If the submission pertains to damaged infrastructure or faults, immediate action will be taken to address the issue. For proactive improvements, such as changes to road conditions, they will only be considered once the resident submission has been validated by Council's Traffic Engineers. This ensures that any proposed improvements are based on expert assessment and align with the overall goal of enhancing road safety and efficiency.

In the state of Victoria, Australia, road management responsibilities are divided among different authorities. Here is an overview of these responsibilities in accordance our Road Management Plan:

• Local Roads: Local roads are the responsibility of the respective local Councils. This includes the maintenance and management of local streets and roads within their jurisdiction.
• Higher Order Arterial Roads: The Department of Transport is responsible for the management of higher order arterial roads. However, Councils still have responsibilities for certain aspects related to these roads, including service roads, parking (excluding Clearways), and footpaths.
• Tollways: Tollways, such as Eastlink, are the responsibility of the toll operator, in this case, ConnectEast. They are responsible for the operation, maintenance, and management of these specific roadways.
• Public Transport: The provision of public transport services, including the associated infrastructure, falls under the responsibility of Public Transport Victoria. This includes buses, trains, trams, and other modes of public transportation.

When a resident reports an issue that falls under the responsibility of another authority, they will be directed to that specific authority. Residents are encouraged to submit their request directly to the appropriate authority to streamline the management of the issue, including feedback and necessary actions. However, residents can still choose to submit the request to Council if they believe it is important for Council to be aware of the matter. In such cases, Council's Traffic Engineers will refer the issue to the appropriate authority for resolution. Once a submission has been referred to the appropriate authority, Council will no longer correspond directly with the resident regarding that specific issue.

For more information contact council.

Council takes a balanced approach to the issue of parked cars on either side of driveways, considering the importance of on-street parking as a valuable resource for the local community. While parked cars may impact sight distance when exiting a driveway, it is not practical to restrict parking for every driveway. Most local roads within Maroondah City Council and across Melbourne are designed in accordance with State Government guidelines, allowing for parking on both sides and providing a clear roadway width of 3 meters for through vehicles, accommodating the passage of one car. Council acknowledges that site distance may be affected by parked cars, but it will assess requests for parking restrictions on a case-by-case basis. Restrictions would only be considered on roads that experience higher traffic volumes (including freight), exhibit speeding issues, have a history of accidents, or present challenging road conditions such as bends or crests, which can make it challenging for drivers to anticipate and accommodate residents accessing or exiting driveways. In any residential setting, it is expected that motorists should be prepared to anticipate and accommodate for residents using driveways.

Identifying Rat Running in Maroondah: Resident input and planned Interventions

Rat running refers to drivers using residential streets or local roads as shortcuts, sometimes to avoid congested main roads or intersections. This behaviour can lead to increased traffic volumes, safety concerns, and inconvenience for residents. Roads are designed based on factors like anticipated traffic volumes, speed limits, and land use. The Victorian Planning Scheme classifies roads into categories such as arterial, collector, and local roads. Arterial roads handle high traffic volumes and connect major destinations, while collector roads act as intermediate links. Local roads primarily serve property access and local traffic within residential areas.