A frequent user of the highway, Dubbo MP Dawn Fardell has “no issue” with the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority’s (RTA) quest to drive down the speed limit from 110 km/h to 100 km/h, insisting the initiative is worth a try and “we have to do something” to halt a rising road toll.

Her federal colleague, Parkes MP Mark Coulton, another driver familiar with the Newell, thinks the current speed limit is acceptable and the “big issue” is the need for more overtaking lanes.

Dubbo mayor Allan Smith is currently non-committal based on a lack of information about the proposal.

He expects the RTA to come calling sooner rather than later “if they want to push this forward”.

The NRMA, which calls the Newell Highway “a dangerous stretch of road”, blew the lid on the RTA’s plan during a stop-off in Dubbo this week.

President Wendy Machin stepped out of Rod Hannifey’s B-double and called on the RTA to consult with communities and industries.

In its safety review of the Newell, the authority signals its intention to drop the speed limit to 100 km/h on the entire highway, and 50km/h within Dubbo.

Ms Machin argued that wiping 10km/h off the limit would add an “extra hour” to the journey from Queensland to the Victorian border, risking more fatigue-related incidents and “long queues of trucks and cars impatiently waiting to overtake”.

Yesterday Mrs Fardell said action was required to address the “horrendous number of incidents in our area”.

She pointed to sections of the Newell and other highways that have a 100km/h speed limit and suggested it can ameliorate driver behaviour.

In Dubbo, she said, drivers have become used to 50km/h and on many sections of the Newell within the city couldn’t manage to do more because of traffic congestion and infrastructure including a major roundabout.

“We should have a trial run of the reduced speed limit and if it doesn’t work we can go back,” Mrs Fardell said.

Mr Coulton said, while “not a road expert”, he felt 110km/h fitted road conditions on much of the highway and more overtaking lanes would reduce risk-taking.

The federal MP said some sections of the highway within Dubbo might warrant the introduction of a 50km/h limit, for example in the vicinity of the new McDonald’s in West Dubbo.

Cr Smith said the RTA had not contacted the council with its “reasoning” for the proposal.

“I’m not sure about staff at this stage,” he said.

The mayor said fatigue and driver behaviour on the Newell appeared to be of more concern to authorities than its speed limit.