Frustrated residents on a quiet street near Adelaide's Burnside Village are taking a stand against a relentless and dangerous traffic problem. Their peaceful neighbourhood is being disrupted by a constant stream of motorists illegally driving the wrong way down their one-way street.
A Daily Battle with Reckless Motorists
Data collected by locals reveals the shocking scale of the issue. An average of 26 vehicles per day ignore the clear signage and travel in the incorrect direction. For long-term resident Stephen Merrett, the problem has escalated beyond mere inconvenience to a point of personal confrontation.
Mr Merrett reports facing regular threats and verbal abuse from drivers when he attempts to remind them of the road rules. This hostile response has transformed a simple matter of traffic compliance into a significant community safety and wellbeing concern.
Petition for Action and Safety Cameras
Determined to find a solution, Stephen Merrett has launched a formal petition. He is calling on the local council to install surveillance cameras on the street. The proposed cameras would act as both a deterrent and an enforcement tool, capturing evidence of the illegal manoeuvres.
The core demand is clear: implement a technological solution to protect residents and restore order to the local road. The petition, initiated in December 2025, seeks to compel authorities to address what locals describe as a long-neglected hazard.
Community Safety at the Forefront
The situation highlights a broader tension between residential amenity and driver convenience in suburban areas. Residents argue that the persistent flouting of a fundamental traffic rule creates an unacceptable risk.
The potential for a serious accident involving pedestrians, cyclists, or oncoming vehicles is a constant fear for those living on the street. The campaign led by Mr Merrett is not just about stopping nuisance behaviour; it's a preventative measure aimed at avoiding a future tragedy.
As the petition gains signatures, the eyes of the eastern suburbs community are on the local council, waiting to see if it will support this grassroots push for safer streets.
