Griffith transport guru Simon Croce has made a submission against the proposed speed limit reduction. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
A Federal Government proposal to reduce speed limits on many regional roads has been criticised by National Party politicians, farming groups and small-town residents for being “sneaky” and for the detrimental impact it could have on rural communities.
The Transport Department is seeking public feedback on a consultation paper that flags reducing the default speed limit on unsigned roads outside of built-up areas, which is currently 100 km/h. It suggests a reduction to between 70 and 90 km/h would improve safety and reduce fatalities.
“Some roads outside of built-up areas, especially in regional and remote areas, may not be safe to travel on at 100 km/h,” the department’s consultation paper states.
“Many of Australia’s regional and remote roads are not sealed, and may be dirt or gravel tracks. Other roads may have sealed surfaces, but may be in poor condition, or lacking the road features that would enable safe travel at high speeds.
“Travelling at up to 100 km/h on roads such as these may not be safe and will increase the risk of crashes, death and serious injuries. Reducing travel speed on these roads can help prevent the tragedy of road crashes, injuries and deaths, by setting a speed limit that is safe for drivers and people using the road.”
The paper acknowledges that lowering speed limits could have negative economic impacts – particularly in slowing down the movement of freight – but concludes a reduction to an 80 km/h maximum provides a “more efficient” balance between safety concerns and the financial downside.
“Introducing an initial reduction to 80 km/h provides an opportunity to assess impacts and compliance before considering further reductions,” the paper states.
Former Griffith councillor and transport guru Simon Croce is worried about how low speeds will go.
“I think it is a ridiculous idea,” he said.
“It’s an easy option to sell to anybody who never travels country roads. How about we just keep dropping speeds until they end up at walking pace?”
Agricultural cooperative Citrus Australia has urged rural residents to make a submission opposing any reduction.
“In 2022-23 Australian governments (state and federal) collected over $31 billion in road related taxes, yet regional roads are not getting any better,” the group said.
“Lowering speeds in regional areas is not the answer, it will only make getting food and fibre to the cities and ports less efficient. You could fill a lot of potholes for $31 billion.”
National Party MP Anne Webster accused the Federal Government of being “sneaky” about its proposal, saying there was no media release on it nor much publicity to let people know they could express their views.
“This looks like a Clayton’s consultation,” she said.
“The government appears to want to bring regional Australia to a grinding halt.
“Labor’s speed limit proposal remains an outrageous, lazy solution to a serious issue facing cars and trucks across the country. As I have said all along, how about they just fix the bloody roads?”
Submissions on the Federal Government proposal to reduce default speed limits can be made on the transport department’s website before Monday 10 November.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
