Alarm sounding over Federal Government’s proposal to cut default speed limit on non-signposted country roads

Opposition is growing to a Federal Government proposal to cut the national default speed limit on non-signposted rural and regional roads to as low as 70km/h amid claims it will not address the root causes of road trauma. A regulatory impact analysis on the reduction of speed limits outside of built-up areas was proposed by the Federal Government in a bid to reduce the national road toll and trauma in rural, regional and outback Australia. Under the analysis, speed limits for sealed and unsealed roads are proposed to be as low as 70km/h. The default limit on roads without any signs under Australian road rules is 100km/h. In WA, the default limit is 110km/h. Durack MP Melissa Price called on the Labor Government to abandon its “misguided proposal” and “instead focus on maintaining, upgrading and investing in the safe, reliable roads that regional West Australian’s not only deserve but rely on every day”. “Instead of funding repairs, they’re slowing us down, hurting jobs, freight and families across the region,” she said. Mid West-based State MLC and shadow road safety minister Julie Freeman said the road safety intent behind the proposal was sound, but little evidence existed to suggest simply lowering speeds on country roads would make them safer. “In fact, some research shows that factors such as road quality, driver familiarity and environmental conditions play a much greater role in influencing safety outcomes,” she said. “Only about 30 per cent of WA’s vast road network is sealed — the rest is dirt, gravel, sand and grit.” Ms Freeman said the Government needed to make more investment in regional roads, including sealing, shoulder upgrades, maintenance, widening, more overtaking lanes and tailored driver awareness programs. “No one disputes that safety is paramount but solutions must be based on evidence and real-world experience, not assumptions made thousands of kilometres away in Canberra,” she said. In its submission to the Federal Government, national grain advocacy group GrainGrowers Limited welcomed the plan but expressed concerns the adequacy of a speed limit cut. “While GrainGrowers strongly supports efforts to reduce the disproportionate number of fatalities on regional roads, GrainGrowers is concerned that blanket speed limit reductions fail to address the root causes of road trauma,” the letter said. Western Roads Federation chief executive Cam Dumesny said road safety — and the road toll — could be improved through increased funding in upgrades and maintenance on regional roads. “We use a lot of freight — particularly our remote communities rely on road transport. Our trucks already slow down when the roads are pretty rough because otherwise they damage the trucks,” he said. Federal Minister for Regional Development Kristy McBain said: “We want to make sure every time someone uses our roads, they make it to their destination safely. “Whether it’s a truckie on a long-haul journey, or a parent picking up their kids from school.” The deadline has previously been extended and people now have until November 10 to provide their feedback to the proposal. OPINION Page 6