Hume council is requesting that the state government increases road rule enforcement on Craigieburn Road.
At the 8 December council meeting, councillor Jim Overend raised the notice of motion and said the long stretch of road encourages drivers to speed.
“Motorists put the foot down a bit heavier on the pedal and speed, it’s witnessed daily,” Cr Overend said.
“I have multiple calls or emails regarding people’s concerns about how dangerous it is.”
There are currently no permanent speed cameras on Craigieburn Road, with the nearest cameras on the Hume Freeway near Amaroo Road.
Cr Overend said many drivers run red lights at the intersections on the road, or take off quickly when the light goes green.
“I’d like to request … increased police presence and the consideration of road safety cameras.”
Cr Daniel English said when he first got his license he used to frequently see police officers on the road with a radar speed gun, but hasn’t seen many since.
“[Police] are under-resourced, but just every now and then … police presence definitely needs to be lifted,” Cr English said.
Cr Overend said he is grateful for the Craigieburn Road upgrades that were finished in 2024, but wants to see people using the road responsibly.
“It’s only a matter of time before there’s a fatality and that really worries me,” Cr Overend said.
Deputy mayor Ally Watson urged motorists to be careful while driving on the road this festive season.
“No time is a good time to hear about a loved one being involved in a vehicle accident, but particularly over the Christmas period that is really heart-breaking,” Cr Watson said.
Council will write to the police minister, road and road safety minister and the road safety camera commissioner to request greater road rule enforcement.
Cr Naim Kurt said he is concerned the road safety commissioner office will not exist for much longer.
An independent review by Helen Silver of the Victorian public service recently recommended abolishing the road safety camera commissioner and reference group.
