Politicians near and far are telling the RTA not to touch the 110 km/h speed limit on the Mitchell Highway that runs through Dubbo.
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Dubbo MP Dawn Fardell, Barwon MP Kevin Humphries and State Opposition spokesperson on roads Andrew Stoner have reacted strongly to advice delivered by director of the NSW Centre for Road Safety, Dr Soames Job.
The RTA has State Government cash to review three stretches of western NSW highways with “higher than average fatal crashes”.
The Mitchell Highway, from Bathurst to Nyngan and including 180 kilometres with a maximum speed limit of 110km/h, is part of the review.
This week Dr Job told the Daily Liberal lowering the speed limit was “one of the the things it (the RTA) may consider doing” to save lives.
Yesterday Ms Fardell opposed any reduction to the speed limit.
The MP said she travelled the road often and while some drivers did need to slow down, roads works should be the focus of the RTA, particularly on the “horrendous” section between Dubbo and Narromine.
Mr Humphries said the Mitchell Highway was headed the same way as the Newell, now a “moving car park”.
Lowering the speed limit was an excuse for “no money for infrastructure”, he said.
Mr Stoner said dropping the speed limit lengthened journeys and contributed to driver fatigue, a “major cause of fatal accidents”.
It would be better to invest in median barriers, dual carriageways and more overtaking lanes, he said.
The State Government is providing $170 million across five years for highway reviews in NSW, with $10 million a year earmarked for improving road infrastructure, Dr Job has revealed.
NRMA director for Western NSW Graham Blight has welcomed the inclusion of community workshops in the review process.
“The NRMA is looking forward to seeing the review results, however any proposed change to road conditions must be evidence-based,” he said.
