The people who are “speed obsessed” within the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) may be looking to slow down traffic on other highways apart from the Newell, the NRMA is warning.
Amid a “total uproar” over the slashing of the Newell Highway’s maximum speed limit from 110 to 100km/h, NRMA director for western NSW Graham Blight said “this will just be the first one”.
Asked if he could be right, a spokesperson for the RTA yesterday referred the Daily Liberal to the final paragraph in a statement issued late on Thursday announcing that from December 1 motorists on the Newell must stay under 100km/h.
“The RTA regularly monitors and reviews speed limits in accordance with RTA speed zoning guidelines,” it read.
In response to a specific inquiry about the Mitchell Highway, that carries a maximum speed limit of 110km/h on either side of Dubbo, the spokesperson said “we don’t have any current proposal” to alter its speed limit.
The RTA’s sudden announcement on the Newell has angered communities, politicians and organisations such as the NRMA which has refused to surrender in the battle for public consultation.
Earlier this week it encouraged people living on and near the Newell to sign petitions seeking a say on the RTA’s plan to reduce the speed limit.
Mr Blight yesterday reported that signatures were piling up and they would be presented to the State Parliament despite the RTA’s announcement.
He is scathing of its “sneaky” behaviour on Thursday morning after the NRMA heard rumours of new road signs and asked unsuccessfully for clarification.
“Instead of the brush-off, they should have come out and been honest,” Mr Blight said.
The director says the RTA argument that lower speeds will save lives “defies logic” based on the significant role fatigue plays in crashes.
His call for “empirical evidence” from the RTA to support its decision was yesterday met with a one-off example relating to a section of the Greater Western Highway between Lithgow and Bathurst.
The RTA spokesperson said about 10 years ago its limit was reduced from 110 to 100km/h resulting in a “25 per cent reduction in casualty crashes”.
Mr Blight says the “clandestine” RTA has to do more to prove its point and has called for a halt to the introduction of the 100km/h limit next month.
“The RTA should stop it and come out and have some consultation,”he said.
“If they can’t convince us, they should show some respect for community views.”
Users of the Newell have long complained about its lack of overtaking lanes.
“Only 9 per cent of the highway has passing lanes,” said Mr Blight who worries how motorists will react if stuck behind a semi-trailer that slows down and speeds up depending on terrain.
The RTA claims a common speed limit for most traffic on the Newell will “reduce the need for overtaking”.
Mr Blight says it “could well be” that reducing the speed limit is seen as a cheaper option than building passing lanes.
“Sign the petition,” he urged western NSW residents.
“This is just round one.”
kim.bartley@ruralpress.co m
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