A recent accident on Palmers Lane, Pokolbin has prompted residents and business owners to call for a reduction in the speed limit on the narrow, tree-lined country road.
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Wildlife, trees, bends and crests are among the hazards facing drivers on the road, which has an 80km/h speed limit.
About 9.30am on July 30, a 23-year-old woman was seriously injured after the car she was driving hit a tree near Calais Estate.
Passersby tended to her before paramedics arrived, and she was flown to the John Hunter Hospital in the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The accident was one of at least five on Palmers Lane in the past six years.
The road is also a popular route with tourists and cyclists, and is heavily used by coaches during concert season.
Cessnock councillor John Fagg says a speed limit reduction would help save lives; would save the NSW Government the costs associated with accident and trauma costs, and make the road safer for local drivers, tourists and cyclists.
Cr Fagg will table a notice of motion at this Wednesday's Cessnock City Council meeting, asking for the general manager to write to Roads and Maritime Services in support of community requests for a review of the current 80km/h speed limit to 60km/h.
"Residents believe that an urgent request is necessary and that RMS should accept that the lane's speed zone is now outside a safe speed and consider revising to a reduced road traffic speed of 60km/h for its entire length," Cr Fagg's motion says.
"It is hoped that a speed zone reduction will help save lives and vehicular traffic accident and trauma costs to NSW Government.
"A safer speed will support Destination NSW in their promotion of Hunter Wine Country as a safer place to visit and explore."
Katrina Bradley, whose family has owned Calais Estate for 19 years, said the July 30 accident was the worst she's seen on Palmers Lane.
The Centre for Road Safety has recorded four accidents on Palmers Lane between 2013 and 2017.
The centre only reports on crashes recorded by NSW Police, in which at least one person was killed or injured, or in which at least one motor vehicle was towed away.
In those four accidents, two people were injured (none seriously), and one crash involved hitting a kangaroo.
Moorebank Vineyard Estate owner Debra Moore said kangaroos have become a serious hazard on the road.
"We are always warning customers to be careful of kangaroos and use their peripheral vision," she said.
Ms Moore, who has been on Palmers Lane for 33 years, said the signage on the road should be updated.
"You expect that road signs are keeping you safe, but I feel that the standard isn't correct for the conditions," she said.
Meanwhile, two St John Ambulance volunteers who assisted at the recent crash have urged local residents to learn first aid and keep a fully-stocked first aid kit in their cars. Read more here.
