As the list of accidents near Whitton lengthens, NSW Roads and Maritime services have committed to an inspection of the safety signage surrounding the Darlington Point and Whitton Road intersection.
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Long-time Whitton Road users know the dangers of the intersection with Darlington-Point, and share their concerns over the treacherous intersection.
Sarah Mandaglio and Brad Teerman both use the Whitton Road regular – living in Leeton and travelling to Griffith for work, and say more could be done to alleviate safety issues at the intersection.
Ms Mandaglio said she had seen and been involved in a few instances where an oncoming car had to dramatically slow right down as vehicles entered the traffic.
“That corner is a major issue. A lot of people do take it very fast, and there are a lot of people who pull out at the intersection just after the Whitton bend when other cars are coming,” Ms Mandaglio said.
“I always go through Yoogali way to Griffith, and I’ll be doing 100km an hour, and people just pull out in front of you because they can’t see. I don’t understand how there hasn’t been more accidents to be honest.”
She says her concern is at having the intersection right before a bend, as she has seen people cut the corners of the bend and use the dirt in a dangerous maneuver.
“A good idea would be to have two lanes, making it a little bit longer so when people do pull out they can get to 100km before getting onto the road.”
Mr Teerman said while he hadn’t seen or been involved in any situations at the intersection, he said in winter visibility is made even worse.
“The intersection can be dangerous especially in winter with fog,” Mr Teerman said.
“I’ve never personally had any issues, but I think more signage couldn’t hurt along there. You do have a lot of traffic.”
“There is less visibility coming from one way because there is a bridge right in the field of view, so more signs could be good. And make sure you don’t let your speed get away from you!”
While they concur the bitumen itself is of good quality, perhaps the installation of further safety signs may warn and prevent future accidents.
Their concerns come after emergency services were called to the Intersection of Irrigation Way and Darlington Point Road at Whitton after reports a prime mover had rolled last Tuesday.
The accident saw a female passenger taken to hospital and later airlifted to Canberra in a critical condition.
Police were called to the same stretch of road the next morning when two vehicles collided.
When approached by The Irrigator, NSW Roads and Maritime Services said they will investigate signage at the intersection of Whitton-Darlington Point Road and Irrigation Way to ensure it is adequate.
“The curve on the approach to the intersection has an existing 85 km/h speed advisory sign and junction warning signs are in place,” A spokesman said.
“An inspection will be carried out to determine if curve advisory markers are required on approach to the intersection and all signs in place are legible and visible.”