Call to cut country road speed limits to 80kmh save lives

As Victoria’s road toll hits 137 deaths, compared with 88 at this time last year, road safety experts have made a bold suggestion that could reduce the amount of deaths on country roads.

Road safety experts have called for speed limits on some Victorian country roads to be cut to 80kmh to tackle rising road carnage across the state.

Several speakers at a TAC Road Safety forum warned that 100kmh was too fast and too dangerous on “C” and unsealed roads.

The forum was held in response to Victoria’s road toll — now at 137 deaths, compared with 88 at this time last year.

Professor Narelle Haworth, from the Centre for Accident Research and Safety in Brisbane, said country roads were often in poor condition and speeds should be reduced.

Reducing speed limits is the “most effective way to cut deaths on country roads”.

She said reducing speed limits was the most effective way to cut deaths on country roads, but she acknowledged resistance from rural communities was inevitable.

“To fix roads costs money. To fix speeds costs votes,’’ Prof Haworth said.

More than 60 per cent of this year’s deaths have been in rural areas, and Police Minister Lisa Neville said any plan to cut speeds in rural areas would need public consultation.

“We have to find ways to work with them and see where we can tackle the problem,’’ she said.

Murrundindi council chief executive Craig Lloyd said road deaths and serious injury accidents were common in the shire. But lowering speed limits on “C” roads was likely to be resisted, he said: “People will push back but it doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing.’’

Minister for Road Safety, Jaala Pulford.

Many speakers said the time was ripe for a brave move on road safety, such as the introduction of seatbelt laws, random breath testing and speed cameras in the past.

Monash University Accident Research Centre Associate Professor Stuart Newstead also said there was often a disconnect between planning and safe transport systems.

“We are continually building unsafe environments, particularly in our outer suburbs,” he said. “Our outer-urban road safety is a real problem.

“What we do is force people into their cars with no supporting infrastructure.’’

Minister for Road Safety, Jaala Pulford, said vehicle safety was a priority in reducing Victoria’s road toll.

“Australia has traditionally been a car manufacturing country, we are now a car importing country,” she Pulford said. “The federal government has traditionally had a role in manufacturing standards.

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“Circumstances have changed in the last few years and I think there’s an opportunity for us to work with them on import standards.”

TAC boss Joe Calafiore pointed out the safety risks associated with driving a vehicle that carries a low Australasian New Car Assessment Program safety rating.

“We know safer roads and safer vehicles are two of the most powerful levers ... over the next 20 to 30 years, to push down road trauma,” he said.

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