New push to decrease NSW road deaths will slow down Sydney drivers

SYDNEY motorists could soon be hit with a new road rule that would see them forced to slow down in certain areas of the city.

SYDNEY drivers could soon be forced to slow down in areas of high pedestrian traffic, as the New South Wales government considers new ways to curb the state’s road toll.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday that too many pedestrians were dying on the road, particularly over the past 12 months.

“There are particular hot spots around pedestrian areas where unfortunately too many drivers don’t slow down,” she told reporters.

“We need to make sure we consider reducing speed in those key areas.”

Drivers will be forced to slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Picture: Eugene Boisvert

The areas with higher pedestrian congestion like train stations, and shopping areas and hospitals will be targeted with the 40km/h speed limit in an effort to push back against road deaths in the state.

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Ms Berejiklian stressed it would be done in consultation with local councils. But Labor leader Luke Foley fears it will be a revenue-raising measure by the government.

“If they do this they’ll need to allocate a big sum of money to educate motorists rather than just using this as a tax grab,” he told reporters.

The first suburbs hit with the lower speed limits will be Campbelltown, Seven Hills, Mosman and Milsons Point.

So far this year 154 lives have been lost on NSW roads, increasing by 3 per cent on the number of 2017 road deaths during the same period.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said too many pedestrian’s are dying on the road. Picture: Jeremy Ng/AAP

Along with the lower speed limits there will also be increased mobile drug testing and major upgrades to a number of country roads, with the government announcing a $600 million funding boot for the upgrades.

The money will be spent on installing wire rope barriers, tactile line markings and extra highway patrol officers in regional areas.

“Any loss of life on our roads is one too many and so this investment is about making our roads safer for everyone,” NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said in a statement.

It’s part of a bigger $1.9 billion road safety package promised over the next five years.

Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said the government was investing in initiatives proven to lower the road toll.

The state budget will be handed down on June 19.