Careless drivers on some of Moreland’s busiest roads are putting lives at risk by not stopping at the rear of trams.
With five different tram routes in the City of Moreland, motorists flouting road rules are a big problem for tram passenger safety in the area.
VicRoads Road User Safety Director James Holgate said one person was killed and 77 people were seriously injured in the five years to 2011 when getting on and off trams around Melbourne.
Passengers have reported being knocked to the ground, having their feet run over by cars and being hit by side view mirrors, according to Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit.
Malcolm Simister from the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) said it was a big problem that did no’t seem to be going away.
“People are killed every year and it shouldn’t happen,” he said.
“I think it’s probably carelessness, not paying attention – whether it’s on their mobile phone, which is illegal, they’re listening to music or they’re just not paying attention.
“And sometimes they just don’t realise it’s a tram stop, it’s sometimes not very obvious.”
Sarah McKenna, a graphic designer, has had several near-misses with cars and has seen two other pedestrians hit.
Sarah McKenna, 26, has suffered many near-misses from careless drivers when alighting trams. Photo: Hannah Francis
“The last time it happened to me was one week ago on my way to a venue in Coburg,” Ms McKenna said.
“I felt like my life was worth nothing.”
Parts of Sydney Rd in Brunswick and Coburg were particularly problematic, she said.
“People drive very quickly up near Moreland Rd, it’s dark, there’s not much light around and trams are there all the time,” she said.
“You shouldn’t have to feel like it’s a gauntlet to use public transport.”
A Yarra Trams spokesperson said safety was its number one priority and there were signs on the front and back of trams warning motorists to stop when trams stopped.
But Mr Simister said better marking of tram stops and flagging of tram doors when they opened were cheap and effective ways to improve passenger safety.
Increasing fines, tougher driver’s licence tests, installing driver-operated cameras on trams and campaigns for better driver awareness were other options, he said.
Moreland councillor for sustainable transport Jo Connellan said raised tram stops would be implemented along Nicholson St in the next 12 to 18 months to increase passenger safety.
“That whole route 96 will end up being accessible tram stops,” she said.
A Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman said there were 50 new low-floor trams on order for Melbourne’s tram network, with highly visible lights and signs to alert motorists when a tram was stopping.
Drivers who fail to stop at the rear of a tram when a tram stops risk a $292 fine.
Sharing the roads with trams: know the rules
- You must stop level with the rear of a tram at a tram stop until the doors close and passengers have cleared the road. Fine $292
- Once the tram’s doors are closed and it is safe to proceed, you must not exceed 10km/h while passing a stationary tram at a tram stop. Fine $292
- You must give way to all trams at roundabouts. Fine $204
- You must not move into the path of a tram. Fine $117
- You must not drive over raised dividing strips or double yellow lines. Fine $117
- You must not park or stop within 20 metres of a tram stop unless there is a sign which permits parking. Fine $117
