The Bathurst 1000 race track that weaves around Mount Panorama is a public road. 

Residents believe further fatalities could occur if motorists are not made fully aware that the road on Mount Panorama runs in both directions.

Some have gone as far as to ask for the road to be made one-way, while others think increased signage around the track making drivers aware of the conditions would be a better solution.

Mount Panorama resident Fiona Hope has seen the dangers first-hand in her five years living at the location and wants action taken. 

“I drive the track on a daily basis and have witnessed numerous areas of concern which occur all too frequently,” she said.

“It is time for us to address these issues and put in place safety factors that are sadly lacking.”

Ms Hope believes drivers are distracted by the ambience of the iconic track and, as a result, often miss the limited signage making motorists aware it is a two-way road. 

“The mountain attracts tourists who are oblivious to the two-way ruling and without lines to indicate lanes, [it] can be easily misunderstood,” she said.

She noted there is no sign at the entrance to the circuit, and when travelling anti-clockwise, the first two-way sign does not appear until approximately 450 metres around the track, after the first corner.

Another problem Ms Hope highlighted was the abundance of people who stop alongside the track for photo opportunities, and the even more dangerous number who don’t stop at all.

“It is not unusual to follow a car on Pit Straight only for it to stop on the grid one, get out of the car and start taking photos, or to follow a car whose occupant – sometimes the driver – is holding a mobile phone whilst taking footage of the drive,” she said.

Ms Hope wants to see Bathurst Regional Council and related authorities invest the money made from the track into making it safer, and has recommended increased signage along the track and the introduction of a 40 kilometre speed limit through The Esses and Forrest’s Elbow.

Highway Patrol acting sergeant Ian Stibbard said the history of the road has proven Mount Panorama is relatively safe, but increased signage could only make it better.

“In general, we don’t normally get called up there for accidents,” he said.

“Increased visibility signage is definitely going to be beneficial, though.” 

He advised motorists to take more care when using the track as it is a road like any other in NSW and said any concerns regarding changes to the road should be directed to council.

Councillor Warren Aubin agreed the road had a good record and said there was no need to change Mount Panorama.

He said it was a “knee-jerk reaction” to an accident on the weekend for which the details were not yet known.

“People just need to know it is a public road and not a racetrack,” he said.