Multiple speed zones on busy Mornington Peninsula roads are driving up the region’s road toll
The speed limit changes five times in just 3km on one Mornington Peninsula road and it’s not unusual for the region. Motorists are backing a call from the former mayor for a review.
South East
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Varying speed limits at ‘ridiculously short intervals” on some of Mornington Peninsula’s busiest roads need to be reviewed, says the former mayor.
Cr David Gill said his call for more uniform limits had already drawn support from ratepayers worried about dangerous speed changes in their neighbourhoods.
Examples flagged included five speed limit changes on Eramosa Rd East from a low of 40km/h to a high of 100km/h along a 3km stretch between Frankston-Flinders Rd and Dandenong-Hastings Rd.
Concerns were also raised about Boneo Rd which changes from 70km/h to 80km/h to 100km/h between Boneo, Cape Schank and Flinders and Truemans Rd which allows motorists to increase their speed from 60km/h to 80km/h to 90km/h in a short stretch near Peppers Moonah Links.
“Speed limits change up and down within what appear to be ridiculously short intervals and I think we need to do something about that,” Cr Gill said.
“In some cases, speed limits have been changed after a serious accident, without full consideration of the impact of the change on adjoining sections of a road.
“This can lead to unnecessary frustration of drivers and even increase the accident risks.”
The State Government recently agreed to reduce speeds to 80km/h on 38 of the most dangerous rural roads on the peninsula.
Only council-managed “high risk sealed rural roads” will be trialled, with Browns Rd in Rye to be the longest road in the trial.
Arterial corridors, such as Peninsula Link, Moorooduc Highway and Westernport Highway will remain at the same speeds.
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The changes, requested by the council in response to a rapid rise in road deaths this year, are expected to be in place before Christmas.
Cr Gill said there had been 14 deaths and 100 serious injuries on the region’s roads this year compared with two last year.
“There is no choice but to look at every opportunity to reduce this road toll and slower speeds are a proven way to reduce road trauma,” Cr Gill said.
“I believe looking closely at reducing the number of speed changes on our roads … will also help with what we are trying to achieve.”