The intersection of Totara St and Fitzherbert Ave is the site of many crashes. Photo / Google Street View
What can be done for Sandra Watson?
The unfortunate Springvale resident has seen 10 cars crash through her front fence in 14 years - four in the last year.
Monday's crash took out three fences and a caravan.
Neighbour Teresa Payton – and new owner of a dented caravan – believes it's only a matter of time before somebody is killed.
The caravan was occupied a few days earlier.
The last time a crash happened – back in October – the council promised an investigation. Granted such things – if to be worth the paper it is written on – take a bit of time.
The timing of Monday's incident is therefore unfortunate.
But it does raise the question why only in October – the third timethat year a car had crashed through Ms Watson's fence – was there suddenly an investigation?
Ms Payton is right. Cars skidding out of control into residential sections is rolling the dice each time it happens. So far the players are on a winning streak. But sooner or later the house will exact its cut.
What's needed is immediate protection. Perhaps portable concrete crash barriers. Then council can investigate.
What of the intersection itself, the area where Totara St joins Fitzherbert Ave? Is there a case for a roundabout, perhaps?
For there to have been so many crashes at one spot in such a short time must surely raise red flags with authorities.
Or did it? Nine crashes before the data surfaced on the right computer screen – that, frankly, is not good enough.
No doubt this may well fall in gaps between agencies. Jurisdiction over who should do what may not be that clear. But somebody should be watching these things.
Meantime Ms Watson and her neighbours deserve to sleep peacefully at night, and not with one ear open for the next car to come crashing into their lives.
Comment: Planting a range of trees will give fruit at different times of the year.