RENEWED calls for an upgrade to a Nuriootpa intersection are being made, following another crash at the hot spot shortly after Christmas.

The crash was the fifteenth to have occurred over the past five years, at the intersection of Greenock, Moppa South and Samuel Roads, according to statistics kept by South Australian Police.

Member for Light and Duty Member for Schubert Tony Piccolo said he is calling on the State Government to act before it is too late.

“It is inevitable that more accidents will happen, the government must stop sitting on its hands and act quickly before another crash,” he said.

Likewise, the mayors of Barossa and Light Regional councils have said they would like to see something done.

The intersection is located within Light Regional Council but used by motorists from neighbouring Barossa.

It also forms part of a freight route.

Light Regional Mayor Bill O’Brien said council would like to see the Department of Infrastructure and Transport undertake a full investigation into both casualty and property damage crashes at the intersection, in order to better understand the cause.

“Once this has been completed, we will all be in a better position to determine how we can fix this issue and keep our community safe,” he said.

Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said upgrading the intersection is an urgent road safety priority.

“This busy intersection is very confusing for motorists. The upgrading of this intersection was a key consideration when both councils agreed to have this road included as part of the designated freight route,” he said.

Nearby resident, Neville Linke has seen nine major crashes over the past 12 months.

The latest was on December 28 and involved a person having to be cut from their vehicle.

“The intersection is part of the freight vehicle route and B Doubles require more space to turn at the intersection,” he explained.

“I understand the need for a freight vehicle route, but it must be safe for truck drivers and residents who use the intersection to access local schools.”

Mr Linke said the crashes are getting worse as traffic increases at the intersection.

“I don’t want some poor bugger to be killed before the State Government takes action,” he said.

A government spokesperson told The Bunyip DIT has investigated the intersection at this location, including analysis of road layout, traffic volumes, sight distances and crash statistics.

“Analysis shows there’s been a low crash history at the site in the past five years,” they said.

“DIT also advises there are sufficient warning signs and good sight distance on approaches. DIT will continue to monitor the intersection and will take action in the interest of road safety.

“Works were also undertaken last financial year to improve safety at the intersection, including larger give way signs, repainting and line marking.”