26 crashes prompt Ross Lane safety campaign

After 26 crashes in five years on Ross Lane near Lennox Head, authorities are set to crack down on speeding motorists.

The Ballina Shire Council has announce that a five-week road safety campaign will focus on monitoring the speed of drivers and motorcyclists.

Road Safety Officer Helen Carpenter said Ross Lane was a popular link between Ballina, Lennox Head, the Pacific Highway and Cumbalum.

‘However it has become a hotspot for crashes and motorists exceeding the speed limit,’ she said.

‘There have been 26 crashes reported on Ross Lane in the last five years, with 22 linked to speeding.

‘In March 2013, the speed limit on Ross Lane was reduced from 100km/hr to 80km/hr in an effort to slow drivers down, and to be consistent with speed limits on Byron Bay Road entering Lennox Head.

‘Most crashes involved motorists on the road between 6am and 9am and between 3pm and 6pm. Many drivers were 15 kilometres or more over the legal speed limit.’

Over the five-week campaign, drivers will be reminded about speed limits with speed advisory signs and police patrols.

‘Driving the same road every day does not mean you can drive it faster. Speeding puts yourself and other people at risk,’ Ms Carpenter said.

‘We want to remind drivers and motorcyclists not to exceed the 80km/hr speed limit on Ross Lane, and watch for cars entering from Sanctuary Village, Fig Tree Drive, Newrybar Swamp Road and other Lanes,’ she said.

Motorists should also drive to conditions; slow-down in wet weather, use headlights in low light, and brake to a safe speed before entering bends.

‘Ross Lane is a public road, not a speed circuit,’ Ms Carpenter said.

‘People need to take the bends smoothly by using the width of their side of the road and ease into curves: don’t straighten and cross the central lines.’