Calls for a safer crossing have been renewed by a community in Melbourne’s south-east following the death of a toddler last month.
Two-year-old Zulfiqar Ali was struck and killed by a car while crossing Stud Road in Dandenong with his father last month.
A month on, his family and the local community are calling on the government to make safety upgrades to the road, which does not have a pedestrian crossing.
“The state government has a responsibility to give that place their priority to build a bridge or a traffic light,” Zulfiqar’s uncle Idress Jaffari told 9News.
“I was shocked and it was a very big loss for myself and for the family.”
”It’s really painful for them, they are still struggling.”
City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Lana Formoso lives across the road from where the collision happened.
She was one of the first people at the incident.
“It was extremely horrific circumstances,” Formoso said.
Formoso is a mother of two and has been campaigning for a crossing at the intersection of McFees Road and Stud Road for months prior to the toddler’s death.
She has urged the state government for additional funding to “keep the community safe”.
“Any death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted,” the Victorian government said in a statement to 9News.
“We’ll work with Victoria Police to understand the circumstances and to provide support to the investigation where required.”
Other residents have also expressed support for a crossing at the intersection, and to have the speed limit dropped from 80km/h to 60km/h.
