Latest news with #MelissaHorne
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Calls for major driver's licence change after school holiday horror in Melbourne: 'Valid question'
Victoria's acting premier has backed mounting calls for the retesting of elderly drivers after a 91-year-old woman mowed down a family from behind, killing a grandmother and seriously injuring a toddler. A silver Toyota Yaris, driven by the elderly woman, mounted the footpath near a playground on Coleman Road in Wantirna South, in Melbourne 's east, shortly before 12.30pm on Thursday. A 59-year-old grandmother, her 60-year-old partner, and their two-year-old grandson were walking along the footpath in the same direction as the car when they were struck. The grandmother died at the scene. Her partner is still fighting for life in The Alfred Hospital. Their young grandson was rushed to The Royal Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries, but is now in a stable condition. The 'terribly shaken' elderly driver escaped with minor scratches but remains in hospital. She currently isn't in a position to be interviewed by police. Many unanswered questions remain, including whether or not the driver should have been behind the wheel given her age. In the wake of the tragedy, Acting Premier Ben Carroll indicated support for more frequent retesting of elderly drivers to ensure they're fit to drive, in line with other states and territories. He vowed to take the issue up with Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne. 'In relation to people who are elderly and driving, I think it is a valid question … around testing,' Carroll told reporters on Friday. 'There are a range of initiatives in place through our general practitioners right around Victoria when it comes to making sure that Victorians continue to get tested for their driver's licence. 'But I think this, no doubt this tragedy has brought it into focus. 'Having said that, there will be a thorough investigation underway and we will wait for that to run its course.' Carroll also extended his condolences to the victims' family. 'My heart, as every Victorian's, just breaks for this family and what they're going through and our thoughts are with them,' he said. The latest tragedy comes a year after Victoria's state government rejected calls by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to introduce age-based regulations in line with other jurisdictions. In Victoria, drivers aged over-75 only need to renew their licence every three years. NSW, Queensland, ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory require drivers over 75 to undergo an annual health check, while older drivers in South Australia must complete self-assessments. In Western Australia, an annual medical assessment is required after turning 80 to renew a driver's licence. Thursday's fatality took Victoria's road toll to 14 lives lost in the last seven days. It's understood the elderly driver collided with a street sign and struck the pedestrians before the out-of-control car continued down the road for another 200m running through the fence near a playground. 'It came from behind,' Superintendent Justin Goldsmith said. 'It looks like it has lost control about 40m or 50m before the collision with the people who were walking on the other side of that road.' Supt Goldsmith said it was too early to say whether the driver had suffered a medical episode when she lost control. It's unknown whether charges will be laid. Crash investigators will examine whether speed was a contributing factor. 'That will be subject to the investigation, but it is a downhill section of road, so if there has been a lack of control to some degree there is a possibility the car would have picked up speed as it's driven further down Coleman Road,' Supt Goldsmith said. 'We've lost so many lives and had so many life-threatening injuries over the course of last week (and it) is completely horrific and unacceptable.' Victoria has recorded a number of deadly crashes involving out-of-control vehicles in recent years. In November, kindergarten worker Eleanor Bryant was killed and a three-year-old boy injured when a truck driven by a man, 68, smashed through the gate of Macedon Ranges preschool's playground. Two weeks earlier, an 11-year-old boy was killed and four other students injured when an SUV crashed through a fence at Auburn South Primary School in Melbourne's east. Five people were killed and six injured in November 2023 when a diabetic driver passed out and crashed into patrons seated outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel. The male driver, 66 was charged but the allegations were ultimately struck out, after a magistrate found there wasn't enough evidence to support a conviction.
7NEWS
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Victorian drivers face $961 fines for not slowing down past tow trucks, roadside support or incident units
Victorian drivers could soon be fined up to $961 if they don't slow down when passing tow trucks, breakdown support vehicles or incident response units. From July 1, drivers will need to slow to 40km/h when passing these vehicles — in addition to emergency services and VicRoads incident response vehicles — when they are stationary or moving slowly with lights flashing or alarms sounding. The expanded rule will apply to Victoria Police, ambulances, fire services, the State Emergency Service, accident and breakdown towing, roadside assistance, incident response services and escort vehicles. The Victorian government announced the change on April 30, acknowledging the risks additional roadside workers face on the job. 'Incident response, roadside assistance and breakdown towing vehicles are there for us when we are in need – this change acknowledges the risks they take and our commitment to keeping them safe,' Roads Minister Melissa Horne said. Under the new rule, drivers must slow to 40km/h when passing emergency, incident response or roadside assistance vehicles that are stationary or moving below 10km/h with flashing red, blue, magenta or yellow lights, or with an alarm sounding. Vehicles are expected to pass the scene at 40km/h and be able to stop if directed, even on high-speed roads like freeways. Drivers can only return to the legal speed limit once they've passed the scene and reached a safe distance, which may vary depending on the situation. 'You should be aware of the individual circumstances of each incident and drive accordingly,' the road rule advises. In emergencies, law enforcement and emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, or police are not required to follow these road rules. However, when these vehicles are moving with their lights and/or sirens on, drivers must give way. Drivers in Victoria face fines of up to $961 if they don't comply with the new law. A 2024 survey by the Road Worker Safety Working Group, involving more than 1100 road workers, found almost one in four had witnessed or been involved in a near miss with a member of the public. Nearly one in 10 said they had been hit by a vehicle in a collision involving a road worker. Victoria is the last state or territory in Australia to introduce these expanded protections.
Time Out
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Huge rebuild underway for Fishermans Jetty in Mornington Harbour
Ahoy, there! Anglers and sailors alike will be glad to know that works are officially underway to rebuild the much-loved Fishermans Jetty in Mornington Harbour. The news comes off the back of two other Mornington Peninsula jetties – the Warneet North and South jetties – also receiving a fresh makeover. Living up to its name, Fishermans Jetty has been a favourite for casting a line or berthing a boat in the harbour. Originally built between 1880 and 1885, the jetty has been repaired one too many times over the years – and by 2020, it had deteriorated so badly that it had to be closed to the public. The Allan Labor government stepped in. As part of an $18 million investment in the 2022-23 Victorian budget, a project was developed to restore the area. It promises safe berthing access and improved public use, while supporting local tourism and creating jobs in the area. It's a vital investment – Victoria's local ports and piers contribute more than $900 million each year to regional and coastal economies through tourism, marine activities and commercial fishing. 'The new jetty will provide safer access for anglers, boaters and tourists, continuing the momentum from completed projects around Port Phillip at Altona and the flagship $53 million St Kilda Pier redevelopment,' said minister for ports and freight, Melissa Horne. The first stage – dismantling and removing the old jetty – was completed in 2024. Construction of the new jetty began in April, with completion expected in the second half of this year. While respecting the area's heritage, the new design will be modern, inclusive and functional to meet current and future needs – for recreational users, commercial operators and tourists alike. The rebuilt jetty will have durable timber decking for a traditional look and feel, safe water access via ladders, dedicated berthing spaces, all-abilities access to meet Disability Discrimination Act standards and improved water access for harbour users. If all goes to plan, the new-look Fishermans Jetty will preserve an iconic part of Mornington's coastal charm, while enhancing the harbour as both a working port and a recreational haven for generations to come. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED:
Time Out
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
The massive rebuild of Fishermans Jetty in Mornington Harbour is underway
Ahoy, there! Anglers and sailors alike will be glad to know that works are officially underway to rebuild the much-loved Fishermans Jetty in Mornington Harbour. The news comes off the back of two other Mornington Peninsula jetties – the Warneet North and South jetties – also receiving a fresh makeover. Living up to its name, Fishermans Jetty has been a favourite for casting a line or berthing a boat in the harbour. Originally built between 1880 and 1885, the jetty has been repaired one too many times over the years – and by 2020, it had deteriorated so badly that it had to be closed to the public. The Allan Labor government stepped in. As part of an $18 million investment in the 2022-23 Victorian budget, a project was developed to restore the area. It promises safe berthing access and improved public use, while supporting local tourism and creating jobs in the area. It's a vital investment – Victoria's local ports and piers contribute more than $900 million each year to regional and coastal economies through tourism, marine activities and commercial fishing. 'The new jetty will provide safer access for anglers, boaters and tourists, continuing the momentum from completed projects around Port Phillip at Altona and the flagship $53 million St Kilda Pier redevelopment,' said minister for ports and freight, Melissa Horne. The first stage – dismantling and removing the old jetty – was completed in 2024. Construction of the new jetty began in April, with completion expected in the second half of this year. While respecting the area's heritage, the new design will be modern, inclusive and functional to meet current and future needs – for recreational users, commercial operators and tourists alike. The rebuilt jetty will have durable timber decking for a traditional look and feel, safe water access via ladders, dedicated berthing spaces, all-abilities access to meet Disability Discrimination Act standards and improved water access for harbour users. If all goes to plan, the new-look Fishermans Jetty will preserve an iconic part of Mornington's coastal charm, while enhancing the harbour as both a working port and a recreational haven for generations to come.
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Motorists in this state will have another speed limit to stick to from July 1
Drivers in the state of Victoria will be required to slow down to 40km/h or less when passing a greater number of roadside services personnel from July. The new law sees the 40km/h speed limit – which already applies to roadside police, fire and ambulance vehicles when their emergency lights are flashing – expand to include tow trucks and roadside assistance vehicles, as well as traffic management and incident response workers. The new law essentially means motorists must slow to 40km/h for any vehicle stopped on the roadside with red, blue, magenta – and now yellow – flashing lights. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Fines of up to $961 apply for drivers for Victoria's 5.2 million licence holders who do not heed to the new law once it comes into effect from July 1, 2025. 'Incident response, roadside assistance and breakdown towing vehicles are there for us when we are in need – this change acknowledges the risks they take and our commitment to keeping them safe,' Victorian roads minister Melissa Horne said in announcing the new rule. 'It is the responsibility of all drivers to familiarise themselves with this road rule and to always slow to 40km/h past responding vehicles – for the safety of workers and all road users.' According to Safe Work Australia, an average of 191 workplace deaths have occurred annually over the past five years. A 2024 survey by the Road Worker Safety Working Group (RWSWG) – formed by Roads Australia – of more than 1100 road workers showed almost one-in-four (353) had witnessed or been part of a 'near miss involving narrowly avoided collision between road worker and member of public'. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Almost one in 10 (96) of those surveyed said they had been 'hit by [a] vehicle involving [a] collision between [a] road worker and member of public'. The new rules apply to drivers in every lane on multi-lane roads, but do not apply to vehicles travelling on the opposite side of a divided road. Drivers are also not required to wait until the next speed limit signpost to increase their speed beyond 40km/h once past the emergency vehicle/s and worker/s. It makes Victoria the last state/territory in Australia to make the move, extending existing Road Rule 79A that has required motorists to slow for emergency vehicles – anything with red, blue or magenta flashing lights – since it was introduced in 2017. Victoria had the third-highest number of road deaths (281) behind New South Wales (340) and Queensland (302) in a record Australian road toll in 2024. It was the fourth consecutive annual increase in the number of deaths and the highest figure recorded – at 1300 – on Australian roads in more than a decade.
