Remember when: Speed limits imposed on truckies sparked spat with Bjelke-Petersen Gov

THE Transport Workers Union State Secretary blasted the Bjelke-Petersen cabinet’s new speed restrictions on semi-trailers which he said was “all part of kick the truckie week”.

Gold Coast History: Gold Coast Bulletin 1982, May 19. Front page.

Gold Coast Bulletin, Wednesday May 19, 1982

THE Transport Workers Union State Secretary blasted the Bjelke-Petersen cabinet’s new speed restrictions on semi-trailers which he said was “all part of kick the truckie week”.

Hugh Williams said the restrictions, approved by the state cabinet would “if anything” add to the risk of serious accidents involving trucks.

The laws, part of an anti-road toll package, were met with a mixed reaction by the Gold Coast.

While some truckies believed the laws were a good thing, others backed Mr Williams’ take.

However, all agreed with a central part of the package — the introduction of stricter and more comprehensive licence testing procedures.

Mr Williams said the reduction in speed for semi-trailers to 90km/h on the open road and 50km/h in built up areas was a “useless wasted exercise”.

Gold Coast Bulletin 1982, May 19. Front page.

“This is all just part of a kick the truckie week with Mr Lane wanting to be seen doing something to stopping the accident problem,” he said.

“If the speed limit is to be dropped it should apply to all vehicles on the road, not just articulated vehicles.

He said the new restrictions would cause long lines of traffic to bank up behind trucks and would make motorists frustrated, increasing the risk of accident, particularly when overtaking.

Mick Mills of Mills Transport in Murwillumbah said he agreed with the roads package and thought the speed cuts would reduce the road toll.

“Speed is the main cause of accidents and any financial loss won’t cost anywhere near as much as an accident.”