Phillip Island’s speed limit reduced to stop road fatalities

Speed limits across Phillip Island are being slashed to stop a horror road toll on Victoria’ s coast from climbing. See the raft of changes here.

Twenty-seven crashes in just five years including three that were fatal have led to a major overhaul of speed limits across Phillip Island.

The Victorian Government has reduced the speed across 11 roads.

Eight have been changed from 100km/h to 80km/h, while two 80km/h zones are now 60km/h and one 100km zone is now 60km/h.

It come after three fatalities, and 12 serious and life-altering injuries from 27 crashes in just five years including a horror collision where a one-year-old died on Smiths Beach Road before Christmas in 2016.

Department of Transport Gippsland acting director Henry Lam said he hoped the changes would reduce road trauma.

“Despite the introduction of various treatments over the years, we haven’t had enough of a reduction of crashes,” he said.

“The fact is, speed impacts reaction time; slower speeds give drivers more time to react if something goes wrong or an animal crosses the road, and there’s more chance of regaining control and avoiding a crash.”

Mr Lam said the raft of changes, made in partnership with the Bass Coast Shire Council, also hoped to reduce collisions involving wildlife.

“These safer speeds will work to reduce road trauma for both road users and Phillip Island’s precious native wildlife,” Mr Lam said.

The map shows roads with speed limit reductions.

The changes will be implemented in the coming weeks.

An investigation is ongoing as to whether important freight and industry routes such as Coghlan Road and Cowes-Rhyll Road will be changed.