VicRoads crash statistics given to the Advertiser this week can’t answer that question definitively – but they can tell us where the most people are being injured.

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Topping the list of injuries at prominent Bendigo intersections is McIvor Road and Sternberg Street.

Thirty-two people were injured in 11 “casualty crashes” – crashes in which someone is recorded as hurt – at the intersection in the five years ending last June 30.

The Barnard, Lucan and Arnold streets intersection near Bendigo Health accounted for the second highest number of people injured – 29 in eight crashes during the same period.

As should be expected due to its high volume of traffic, High Street features heavily.

The intersections at Oak Street, Golden Square (28 people injured in seven crashes), Thistle Street, Golden Square (18 in five), Don Street (16 in five), Wesley Street, Kangaroo Flat (16 in 6) and Napier and Nolan Streets near Lake Weeroona (21 in seven) all feature prominently.

Just missing out on the top 10 were Napier Street and Lyons Street, White Hills – where 14 people were injured in six crashes – and McIvor Road and Reservoir Road, Strathdale (14 in five). VicRoads is planning an upgrade at that intersection.

The list may be a talking point as much for intersections that didn’t make the top 10 as it is for those that did.

The statistics, which focus on the city and its surrounding suburbs, should be viewed with a critical eye. Traffic volume can vary wildly between intersections, as can passenger numbers in vehicles.

This particular data focuses only on crashes in which injury occurred, regardless of the damage to the cars, and some injuries might be going unreported.

VicRoads did not provide data on deaths at intersections or pedestrian injuries.

One important point, VicRoads says, is that careless driving may create the impression that some intersections are more dangerous than they are.

“The majority of these crashes are at lower speeds, and generally can be attributed to driver behaviour,” said regional director Mal Kersting.

All but two of the intersections in the top 10 have traffic lights.

One of the two that doesn’t is Calder Highway Alternative and Lockwood Road, Lockwood, though VicRoads promised a $3 million roundabout for the intersection early this year. 

The other intersection is Calder Highway (Marong Road) and Edwards Road, Maiden Gully. Residents there are campaigning for traffic lights, saying fatal accidents are inevitable.

WHEN VicRoads is alerted to a dangerous intersection, its officials consider a number of things before agreeing to fund an upgrade.

“These include traffic and pedestrian volumes, the accident history, the existing speed limit at the location and type of facilities already in the area,” said VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting.

“To further help identify potential improvements, VicRoads regularly undertakes maintenance inspections – generally every two to three weeks – on all major intersections within Bendigo.”

The organisation, responsible for managing arterial roads, receives many requests to improve specific intersections and meets with the City of Greater Bendigo to discuss potential upgrades, Mr Kersting adds.

“Safety reviews of each intersection are also carried out twice yearly.”

Among those slated for safety works is the intersection of McIvor Highway and Strathdale-White Hills Road, also known as Reservoir Road, in Strathdale, Mr Kersting said.