Local’s dangerous driveway leads to high-risk highway

Albany’s Ryon Gurney believes he has the worst driveway in Albany.

The corrugated stretch opens up onto the sixth riskiest intersection in the State.

The Albany Highway and South Coast Highway intersection including the Chester Pass roundabout has been ranked in the top 10 in the RAC riskiest roads survey.

The intersection ranks worst in the region for crash costs at $5.2 million in the five years to January 2016 with 291 crashes reported to police.

Mr Gurney said he had seen several accidents on the roundabout.

“They are not major crashes, mostly just bumping into each other and not paying attention,” he said.

“A lot of people come over the white lines.”

Mr Gurney said he’d had a couple of close calls.

“A few times it has been pretty close...you really have to pay attention, pick your gap,” he said.

Legally Mr Gurney can’t turn into his driveway if he approaches it from more than two exits because he must remain in the inside lane. He said he had to U-turn on Parker Street to safely enter his property.

Mr Gurney said it was “hectic” and worse in rush-hour traffic and during wet conditions.

“This driveway is in one of the poxiest places ... but there is not anywhere else you could put it.

“You’ve got to be patient and sit and wait; if you find a gap you have to take it.”

In 2015 the intersection was ranked the ninth-riskiest intersection.