The Nationals candidate for Murray Plains Brett Hosking said an elected Nationals government will make the installation of electronic flashing warning signs along Lancaster Rd a first-year priority.
And drop the speed limit to 60km/h during funeral services.
Lancaster Rd, which Mr Hosking describes as a high-speed rural arterial roadway, currently retains a 100km/h speed limit outside the cemetery grounds.
During services, grieving families and attendees are forced to park along the narrow roadside shoulders and walk along or across high-speed traffic.
Clive Coventry Funerals manager Martin Graham said with parking on both sides of the road, people attempting U-turns and vehicles coming slowly out of the cemetery it is a high-risk situation.
Mr Graham also said for older people just crossing the road when cars and trucks are going past at 100km/h is a challenge.
“Even when people look and see another vehicle well down he road, many don’t realise how fast that gap will close at 100km/h, particularly if you are slow moving into the roadway,” he said.
Kyabram Cemetery Trust secretary Terry Nepean agreed road safety has been a long-term priority for the trust, and the small warning sign currently used during funerals is totally inadequate.
“Locals understand the situation, but if you are not a local and don’t realise the cemetery is here, at 100km/h it comes up very suddenly behind all the trees,” he explained.
Mr Hosking said dual-sided flashing warning signs would “significantly improve” safety for mourners and parked funeral traffic.
Under the proposal, the reduced speed limits would operate remotely and activate only during services, ideally managed by the Kyabram Cemetery Trust.
“It would be a tragic irony if some innocent person was to be struck by a car during a funeral simply because no-one will take responsibility for such a simple safety solution,” Mr Hosking said.
Like many rural Victorian roads, Lancaster Rd has long, straight sight lines with no traffic-calming features, leaving drivers to often miss active funerals until they are already in the hazard zone. Local reports describe frequent near-misses, swerving vehicles, and impaired pedestrian awareness during emotional gatherings.
“Locals, the Cemetery Trust, and police all agree: ‘Someone is going to get killed if this is not fixed’,” Mr Hosking said, slamming state authorities for turning a blind eye to a situation he labels a lethal mix.
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