FOLLOWING recent criticism of traffic-calming devices, or blister treatments, at several intersections by councillors, others have stepped out to defend them as a useful safety measure.
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Jan Savage, known best for her work with Western Care Lodge, almost had an accident four years ago at the intersection of March Street and Lords Place, which received the treatment a year ago.
“I was driving down March Street and a guy shot across in front of me,” she said.
Mrs Savage braked quickly and attributed the near miss to the fact she was not speeding, but she said taking a chance at the Give Way signs was common practice before the blister treatments were installed.
“I think it’s slowed the traffic down, it’s personally made me more mindful of how I take the corners,” she said.
“At nighttime, it’s highly visible – it stands out as a point where you slow down and stop and don’t consider cutting the corner.”
Mrs Savage believed the pushback on the blisters was due to a reluctance from motorists to slow down, but safety was at stake.
It’s personally made me more mindful of how I take the corners.
- Jan Savage
Councillor Kevin Duffy asked for a review of the blisters earlier this month, concerned about tight cornering for buses and other larger vehicles, as well as insufficient room for two cars travelling in different directions to pull up to the intersections at the same time.
He was supported by several of his colleagues disagreeing with the narrowing of the roads, however councillor Stephen Nugent said on Wednesday while he could not speak to specific intersections raised, he felt the treatments generally worked well.
He pointed out the blisters at the intersection of Sampson and Kite streets were not only helpful for pedestrians, but also Cook Park’s much-loved ducks.
“With the blisters, there is a shorter space of actual road they have to cross before they’re in danger of being run over,” he said.
Cr Nugent said tyre marks left on the cement were not evidence of cars not having enough room to manoeuvre, but rather people continuing to turn corners too quickly.
“You get used to them and they become part of travelling around Orange,” he said.
“The line markings aren’t narrowing the streets, they’re giving greater definition and clarity about what the parts of the streets are for.”
Councillors are due to have an inspection of the intersections.