Highway speed limit lowered as part of safety initiative
Published Thursday, 27 November, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Growing community concern about the speed limit on a section of the Bruce Highway near Gympie has led to a 10km/h speed reduction as part of a Queensland Government safety initiative.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said a 100km/h speed limit was appropriate for the road environment between Cooroy and Curra on the Bruce Highway.
However, significant community concern and the need to reduce the amount of dangerous driver behaviour along this section had led to the decision to lower the speed limit, he said.
“Safety is Main Roads' top priority, which is why the department has spent close to $100 million during the past three years on interim works to improve capacity and safety along the highway between Cooroy and Curra," Mr Pitt said.
“Despite this, it has become evident that more can be done to improve safety on this stretch of road and reduce the number of crashes resulting from excessive speed, failure to drive to the conditions and lack of due care.
“Reducing the speed limit from 100 to 90km/h will add only four seconds of travelling time per kilometre, but can make a big difference to the road toll.
"The reduction in speed limit will be enforced by the police to ensure that it is taken seriously by all motorists.”
Main Roads, Queensland Transport and Queensland Police Service worked together to reach the decision to reduce the speed limit.
Transport Minister John Mickel said an analysis of the Cooroy–Curra stretch ¬– based upon crash data, volume of traffic and the road environment – was undertaken to identify high-crash zones.
"Recent safety improvements, community concerns and issues raised by the RACQ were also taken into account," Mr Mickel said.
"The Cooroy–Curra section of the highway will be well signed to alert motorists to the change in speed limit and local advertising will be done to advise of changed conditions.”
Mr Mickel said the application of reduced speed limits in high crash zones was not new.
“The safety benefits have been demonstrated on a number of roads such as the Ipswich Motorway, where a 10km/h speed reduction resulted in a 25 per cent crash reduction, the Captain Cook Highway in the far north and locally on the approaches to the Gold Nugget and Matilda service station intersections.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads was currently planning for the long-term future of the Cooroy–Curra section of the Bruce Highway.
"The department recently completed a joint state and federal strategic planning study, which identified the corridor for the upgrade,” he said.
"This project, which involves a new 65km realignment of the Bruce Highway and a bypass of Gympie, will improve safety for motorists with divided carriageways and new interchanges.
"Main Roads is also currently working to install intelligent transport infrastructure worth $2.8 million between Cooroy and Gympie.
Variable message signs (VMS) are expected to be in place by early next year, with more advanced warning technology to follow.
“When complete, the VMS system will act to reduce crashes by recognising particular types of driver behaviour and displaying automated messages warning against, for example, speeding or tailgating.
"The system will also warn about wet road conditions, traffic congestion, crash sites and other potential hazards."
The new speed limit signs will be installed at locations along the Bruce Highway during the next few weeks. Local advertising will also take place to alert motorists to the changed conditions.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said a 100km/h speed limit was appropriate for the road environment between Cooroy and Curra on the Bruce Highway.
However, significant community concern and the need to reduce the amount of dangerous driver behaviour along this section had led to the decision to lower the speed limit, he said.
“Safety is Main Roads' top priority, which is why the department has spent close to $100 million during the past three years on interim works to improve capacity and safety along the highway between Cooroy and Curra," Mr Pitt said.
“Despite this, it has become evident that more can be done to improve safety on this stretch of road and reduce the number of crashes resulting from excessive speed, failure to drive to the conditions and lack of due care.
“Reducing the speed limit from 100 to 90km/h will add only four seconds of travelling time per kilometre, but can make a big difference to the road toll.
"The reduction in speed limit will be enforced by the police to ensure that it is taken seriously by all motorists.”
Main Roads, Queensland Transport and Queensland Police Service worked together to reach the decision to reduce the speed limit.
Transport Minister John Mickel said an analysis of the Cooroy–Curra stretch ¬– based upon crash data, volume of traffic and the road environment – was undertaken to identify high-crash zones.
"Recent safety improvements, community concerns and issues raised by the RACQ were also taken into account," Mr Mickel said.
"The Cooroy–Curra section of the highway will be well signed to alert motorists to the change in speed limit and local advertising will be done to advise of changed conditions.”
Mr Mickel said the application of reduced speed limits in high crash zones was not new.
“The safety benefits have been demonstrated on a number of roads such as the Ipswich Motorway, where a 10km/h speed reduction resulted in a 25 per cent crash reduction, the Captain Cook Highway in the far north and locally on the approaches to the Gold Nugget and Matilda service station intersections.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads was currently planning for the long-term future of the Cooroy–Curra section of the Bruce Highway.
"The department recently completed a joint state and federal strategic planning study, which identified the corridor for the upgrade,” he said.
"This project, which involves a new 65km realignment of the Bruce Highway and a bypass of Gympie, will improve safety for motorists with divided carriageways and new interchanges.
"Main Roads is also currently working to install intelligent transport infrastructure worth $2.8 million between Cooroy and Gympie.
Variable message signs (VMS) are expected to be in place by early next year, with more advanced warning technology to follow.
“When complete, the VMS system will act to reduce crashes by recognising particular types of driver behaviour and displaying automated messages warning against, for example, speeding or tailgating.
"The system will also warn about wet road conditions, traffic congestion, crash sites and other potential hazards."
The new speed limit signs will be installed at locations along the Bruce Highway during the next few weeks. Local advertising will also take place to alert motorists to the changed conditions.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819