Those were the days when conditions were very different, and thankfully I have avoided any such events.

But now driving in our city is sometimes downright nerve-racking, resulting in extra care when driving.

In this instance I refer to the volume of traffic in the vicinity of St John of God Hospital.

This hospital is very busy and presents a challenge every day for people entering and exiting, with the constant stream of traffic in Chum/Barnard streets contributing to a situation of a dodgem-car mentality at times, leaving no margin for error.

Compounding this problem is traffic entering off Thistle into Chum Street, and Lily into Barnard Street, with cars turning into the front of the hospital from both directions sometimes bringing traffic to an abrupt halt.

If that isn't enough to test what's left of your nerves, the Barnard/Lily streets situation is diabolical. Any hesitation and the traffic is upon you from over the hill in a flash.

This is one situation that surely requires traffic lights, and a reduced speed limit from Fortuna in Chum Street to the Bendigo side of the breast-screen building in Barnard Street, to assist all traffic and for visitors and patients to enter and exit their hospital in safety.

The hospital is in the process of being expanded, and there may be plans for traffic lights or similar safety measures to be put in place. Everybody's safety should be paramount, especially outside a hospital of all places

A remark made during a conversation on this topic also did nothing to ease any anxiety - that if anything did happen to you, “there isn't far to go to hospital.”

Hardly a comfort to anyone.

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