More than 100 people gathered in Rosalind Park on Sunday as part of a rally against the condition of rural and regional roads.
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The crowd, mostly consisting of motorcyclists, were there for the ‘Bad Roads Rally’ held by the Motorcycle Riders Association.
The group wants the next state government to establish an independent crash data authority, review the Coroners Court’s handling of fatal crashes, and restart the parliamentary inquiry into VicRoads’ management of country roads.
Four months ago, the parliamentary committee tabled a report in which it identified it would not be able to complete a full inquiry before the completion of the 58th parliament, and recommended a full inquiry be undertaken in the next term.
The group holds particular concern about the use of wire rope barriers and wants the government to cease the roll-out.
The government’s Towards Zero safety plan says the flexible wire rope barriers reduce the chances of head-on and run-off-the-road crashes by 85 per cent.
VicRoads told the Bendigo Advertiser earlier this year the roll-out of the barriers was based on evidence that showed they were “incredibly effective”.
But rally organiser Damien Codognotto said claims about the effectiveness of the barriers were “bogus” and records unreliable.
The widow of a central Victorian motorcyclist who died at Taradale in November last year after hitting a kangaroo on the Calder Freeway addressed yesterday’s rally.
Jan White, the wife of Phil ‘Whitey’ White, said her husband died because he hit the wire rope barriers.
“Make no mistake: he did not die from his motorbike hitting the kangaroo,” she said.
Deputy State Coroner Iain Treloar found Mr White’s cause of death was multiple injuries sustained in a motorcycle incident, but could not determine whether the injuries were from the collision or Mr White landing on the wire rope barriers.
On Sunday, Mrs White said the wire rope barrier was the only roadside hazard and it was her view the road authorities had “much to answer for”.
Mr Codognotto said the general condition of rural and regional roads was also a concern.
Individuals and businesses had to bear the cost of repairs when a road in poor condition caused damage to a vehicle, he said.
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