Speed limit dropped to 40km/h on Nepean Highway over ‘rough surface’
The speed limit has been slashed on a highway used by millions of holiday makers and locals say “imaginary roadworks” are to blame.
South East
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Confused drivers are calling for answers over speed restrictions for “imaginary roadworks” as a major tourist destination prepares for millions of holiday visitors.
A 500m section of Nepean Highway at Mount Martha has been reduced from 80km/h to 40km/h for months.
Signs directing motorists to drive at 40km/h were installed on both sides of the highway between Mace Oval and Helena Street in mid September.
The signs at the start of the stretch warn roadworks are in progress while others alert drivers to a “rough surface”.
Locals say they have “never seen anyone” working on the road.
The issue has been a hot topic on social media as motorists debated if they needed to slow down and whether they could be fined for ignoring the 40km/h signs.
“I drive straight through them. I think you’d have a pretty good case if you were pulled over. “They’ve been there for at least two months now!,” one driver posted.
“I ignore the imaginary roadworks,” another motorist said.
Not everyone agreed.
“Nope, no case at all. A speed sign is a speed sign. Full stop.” another motorist argued.
Others claimed that the stretch had been made even more dangerous because some drivers were following the directive to slow down while others were still travelling at 80km/h.
“Hardly a vehicle follows it now … the frustration/pressure of other drivers if you slow to 40km/h is actually quite dangerous.”
Another motorist called on the state government to “fix the road or remove the signs”.
“This section of road is no worse than so many roads on the Peninsula where there are no 40km signs! So what on earth is going on?” they said.
Nepean Highway is the responsibility of the state government’s Department of Transport and Planning.
A department spokesperson said the speed limit had been “temporarily reduced for the safety of all road users.
“We’re following standard procedures and doing all the planning work we can to ensure we get this job done right with as little disruption to road users as possible,” they said.
The reduced speed limit was implemented to stop further damage to the road surface.
Road crews were regularly assessing the road to see if further temporary measures were needed.
Permanent repairs would be funded through the 2023/2024 Metro South-Central Major Patching program and were are expected to be undertaken in early 2024.
According to VicRoads speed limits are usually reduced around roadworks and motorists must drive at or below the speed on the sign until they pass a sign showing a different speed limit.
The temporary speed limit applies even when drivers cannot see roadworks being undertaken.
Motorists caught driving at 80km/h in the 40km/h speed zone face a $786 fine and automatic loss of licence for six months.
