Speed limits to be slashed on Mornington Peninsula roads
Mornington Peninsula commuters and holiday-makers will have to pencil in more travel time after the state government announced a two-year trial that will see speed limits across the area significantly slashed.
VIC News
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Speed limits along 38 roads across the Mornington Peninsula are set to be lowered in a two-year trial approved by the state government yesterday.
Mornington Peninsula Councillor David Gill said the move to lower speed limits from 100km/h to 80km/h on some roads was driven by community concerns about safety.
“We have the highest road toll in Victoria across the 79 municipalities and community members have continuously highlighted this issue,” Mr Gill said.
“We have been advocating as a council on behalf of the community for quite a while to have these changes implemented.”
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.
This year 14 people have died on Mornington Peninsula roads, compared to two last year.
Increased road tolls along the Mornington Peninsula have been part of a wider trend across Victoria, with 243 people dying on the roads this year, compared to 195 last year.
“We have a lot of accidents on rural roads, especially around peak holiday season which is coming up,” Mr Gill said.
“We are leading the road toll in Victoria of 14 deaths and 100 serious injuries.”
Trial expenses and increased travel time have been issues raised by some members of the Mornington Peninsula community.
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“Cost to the council immediately is $150,000 for signage, but that’s money well spent,” Mr Gill said.
“It’s a small price to pay for the safety of the community.”
The two year trial, which will be one of Victoria’s largest slashing of speed limits in recent years, is expected to begin officially prior to the peak summer period.