EXCLUSIVE: Articulated truck drivers unfamiliar with Kinglake are using the Global Positioning System (GPS) or GPS apps on mobile phones for the quickest route back to Melbourne from Kinglake and driving down Heidelberg-Kinglake Road (Route C746/46)
The drivers are transporting goods or equipment to and from Melbourne and when they arrive or depart for Kinglake unfamiliar with local roads the drivers use their GPS to find the quickest route to or from Melbourne.
The drivers’ GPS then sends ‘truckies’ up or down the Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd, several Kinglake truck drivers told Kinglake Ranges News that this wasn’t unusual.
Once committed there is nowhere to turn a truck around on Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd.
Local drivers also spoke of not being stupid enough to drive an articulated vehicle on the Heidelberg-Kinglake Road.
This dangerous practice is continually putting lives at risk – as there is no room for articulated vehicles – and causing significant damage to both the road and signage.
Damaged road signage may not seem a large problem but on a foggy low-visibility day of which Kinglake has many they are often the only visible guidance to where one’s car is on the road.
Victoria Police Community and Road Safety inspector Tony Ryan — responsible for Nillumbik, Banyule, Whittlesea and Darebin — said accidents on Heidelberg-Kinglake Rd drove trauma statistics, Ryan told Diamond Valley Leader reporter, Brittany Shanahan.
A sign at St Andrews advises large vehicles not to continue, but is only an advisory sign. There is no sign advising this at Kinglake.
Heidelberg-Kinglake Road is colloquially referred to by locals as ‘suicide run’ or ‘the windy road’.
Vicroads have been contacted for comment.
