Following an horrific car accident last week, Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid and State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch are calling for action to address safety issues and driver behaviour on Woy Woy Rd.
At about 7.30am on Tuesday, May 20, a sedan and a light truck collided head-on before an SUV collided with the first two vehicles.
The driver of the sedan, 45-year-old Danielle Walker, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being airlifted to the Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition.
The 21-year-old man was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to the same hospital in a serious condition.
The driver of the SUV, a 64-year-old woman, did not report any injuries.
The road was closed for several hours while the road was cleared of debris and fluids.
Paul Walker, husband of the sedan driver, said he did not want any person or family to go through what his wife and family were experiencing.
“Previously, there has been a speed camera positioned on Woy Woy Rd which has prompted drivers to slow down,” he said.
“This is now the third accident to take place along this road in as little as three weeks.
“Everyone knows how notorious Woy Woy Rd is for accidents, and something needs to be done.”
Reid said Woy Woy Rd was a key transport connection for commuters travelling to Sydney or Newcastle via the M1.
“During periods of wet weather, and due to its design, conditions along Woy Woy Rd become unsafe for motorists,” he said.
“Last week we saw again why Woy Woy Road is dangerous when these conditions affect the region.
“As an emergency department doctor, I have seen firsthand the impact car accidents have on families and their loved ones.
“My thoughts go to the Walker Family during this period, and I hope Danielle’s recovery is swift.
“There needs to be a review of measures to improve safety and better enforcement of the law to target poor driver behaviour.
“I am calling on all levels of government and the community to work together with the aim to reduce car accidents from occurring in future.”
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch joined Reid in calling for action.
“Central Coast locals are all too familiar with the dangers of Woy Woy Rd,” she said.
Tesch said the regional road, under the responsibility of Central Coast Council, had seen significant safety upgrades over the past decade including safety signage, changed speed limits to weather conditions, cats-eyes, road quality improvements and safety barrier upgrades.
But she is calling for the investigation of the installation of a speed camera at known speeding locations.
“Recognising the significant impact of driver behaviour leading to accidents on this windy stretch of road, I have written to NSW Minister for Regional Roads and Transport, Jenny Aitchison, requesting that Transport for NSW investigate the installation of a speed enforcement camera,” she said.
“I have also written to Council requesting a review of any safety upgrades that may be outstanding.
“While NSW Police regularly patrol this stretch, they cannot be in all places at all times.
“Every road user has a role to play in ensuring that each time we use every road across our community, we get home safely.
“No family should ever receive the call that their loved one has been hurt on our roads.
“Working together across every level of our community, we can ensure that everyone gets home to their loved ones safely.”
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Terry Collins
Leisl Tesch has been the local MP for 8 years and a member of state government assistant Minister for 2 years and yet it is only upon the occurrence of 3 recent accidents that she sees fit to make any kind of intervention on what she claims her constituents know to be a dangerous road. Surely the question to be asked is ‘why not sooner’? What else is she doing with her time other than proactively representing her community? She was sure as heck behind the 8 ball (again) on The Ettalong dredging, and totally off the mark with public sentiment around the new daycare facility at Umina public school. Complacency grows with familiarity, time for a change of guard.