While the Northern Territory has twice flirted with the idea of ‘open speed limits’ on sections of the Stuart Highway, these were finally ended when Labor won government in 2016.
Organisations such as the Police Association and the Australian Medical Association were among those who had called for 130km/h limits to be brought back to a 300 kilometre section north of Alice Springs.
Research showed that 85% of drivers travelled between 133km/h and 139km/h during the two year period of the last ‘de-restricted road’ trial.
Of course, opponents of the open speed zones argued that at speeds like that drivers would have even less time to react to unexpected events. And, on Outback roads, unexpected events do occur.
A week or so ago, for example, a bull got loose on the Stuart Highway near Bees Creek, about 35 kilometres or so south of Darwin. It reportedly took about an hour to contain the bull and motorists were asked to put the brakes on. Happily, there were no nasty collisions.
It’s not the first time, an out-of-control bull has given grey nomads a scare. In 2015, a bull ran amok in an NT caravan park leaving travellers running for cover.
In some sections of the Stuart Highway, speed limits are continuing to be lowered. This week the NT Government has reduced the speed limit at Coomalie Creek, about 100 kilometre south of Darwin.
It will drop from 130km/h to 100km/h between the Batchelor Rd intersection and the Coomalie Creek rest area.
no
we need realistic speed limits all over Aus, not just in Territory. I cant see too many caravaners cruising up the road at 130 even if it was allowed. 120 to 130 should be allowed on our freeways now but they wont.