Drivers reject highway go-slow

BUNDABERG drivers have rejected a survey that revealed three quarters of drivers believe 100kmh is too fast for country road speed limits.

BUNDABERG drivers have rejected a survey that revealed three quarters of drivers believe 100kmh is too fast for country road speed limits.

The survey, which polled people in WA, Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia, revealed 75% of drivers thought sealed country roads should have a speed limit of 90kmh, and 92% said unsealed roads should be limited to 80kmh.

But Bundaberg residents do not agree, saying a reduction would be a waste of time.

Cook’s Driver Training owner and instructor David Cook said the idea of reducing speed limits on country roads to 90kmh was “just crazy”.

“Reducing the limit will not make people better drivers.

“It won’t affect the most important part of driving, which is driver behaviour.

“This can only be done through training and education.”

Mr Cook said the reduced limit would be more likely to cause accidents than prevent them.

“It doesn’t matter what you do — people will show contempt for the rules and this would only make it worse,” he said.

“I believe reducing the limit would make the tailgating situation even worse and it’s already a dangerous problem.

“I think we would also see an increase in the number of people who are dangerously passing. We would see a lot more risky behaviour.”

Mr Cook said drivers needed to be responsible.

“People need to manage their speed sensibly and drive to the conditions,” he said.

“Changing the limit won’t absolve that responsibility.”

Bundaberg Police Inspector Kev Guteridge agreed that reducing the speed limits on all roads was unnecessary.

“Cases need to be looked at individually,” he said.

“Roads need to be reviewed separately. Given the distances some people need to travel, it would cause a disruption if all speeds were reduced.”

Insp. Guteridge said drivers were not obliged to travel at the signed speed limit.

“We expect people to travel at or below the limit,” he said.

“We ask people to only travel at the speed they are comfortable at.”

He said speed reduction was sometimes necessary but only in specific areas.

“Places like the stretch north of Gin Gin and the Gympie stretch are relevant cases.”

Originally published as Drivers reject highway go-slow