Danielle McGrath’s death has caused the community to rise up and demand better pedestrian safety at the Caringbah intersection where she lost her life.
Business owners are circulating a petition, which customers and clients have been quick to sign.
At the same time, many suggestions have been put to the Leader and Cronulla MP Mark Speakman on what changes should be made.
Mr Speakman said he thought the best idea so far was to stop traffic turning right from Port Hacking Road South into Kingsway, and, instead, diverting it into Mackay Street, with a right turn at Banksia Road near the railway line.
This would also improve traffic flow through the CBD, he said.
Mr Speakman said he was keen to put the idea to Roads Minister Duncan Gay, but would await the views of the Sutherland Traffic Committee, which meets on December 2.
Other suggestions range from a speed camera and reduced speed limit in the area to banning B-doubles from back streets.
Business people who gathered to promote the petition included Sharon Kiss and Estelle Waterhouse, of Aussie Home Loans, Paul Shacallis, of Caringbah Hotel, Rhonda Keys, of Centre Court Hair Design, Jamal Elferkh, of Eddye's Menswear, Silvana Manno, of Silvana’s Hair Salon, Josh Crowther, of Perera Crowther Lending Solutions and resident Margaret Rogers.
The petition, which can be signed at more than a dozen shops and other businesses, says Ms McGrath’s death was the second at the same location in six years.
”We see near accidents on a daily basis and would like the state minister responsible for roads to urgently look into increasing the duration given to pedestrians crossing Kingsway,” the petition says.
“The green ‘walk’ signal allows pedestrians to cross only half way before the red arrow ceases, thereby placing pedestrians who are still on the crossing at risk.
“It is when this occurs that many motorists often weave between pedestrians still on the crossing when turning right from Port Hacking Road South on to Kingsway and left from Mackay Street on to Kingsway.
“Another idea is as pedestrian peak hours all traffic stops to allow diagonal crossing.”
Sharon Kiss said she and her husband Peter were “horrified” at what they had seen in the eight years they had been operating Aussie Home Loans.
Estelle Waterhouse, who also works in that office, said, “All day, every day, there are cars beeping, impatience and near accidents”.
Con Taska, of Something for Everyone said he gathered more than 130 signatures in about three days.
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