The Government is considering lowering the default speed limit on country roads without specified speed signs down from 100km/h to perhaps as low as 70km/h as it seeks to drastically reduce Australia’s road toll.
Through the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25, all levels of governments agreed that the Australian Government would develop a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) on reducing the default speed limit outside of built-up areas.
The Department of Infrastructure is now seeking public feedback on its proposals.
The document says that, in 2024, 1294 people were killed on our roads, with more than 30,000 people seriously injured as a result of road crashes … with speed as a major factor.
Would lowering the default speed limit on unsigned country roads reduce the road toll? PIC: Cizza
It will come as no surprise to most grey nomads that the relationship between speed and crash outcomes is well established, as higher speeds increase both the likelihood of a crash occurring and the severity of its consequences.
Some roads in Australia do not have sign-posted speed limits, which means that a default speed limit applies on those roads. The Australian Road Rules state that the default speed limit on roads outside of built-up areas is 100km/h. The Australian Road Rules do not specify a default speed limit for unsealed roads.
“Some roads outside of built-up areas, especially in regional and remote areas, may not be safe to travel on at 100km/h,” the analysis stated. “Many of Australia’s regional and remote roads are not sealed, and may be dirt or gravel tracks … other roads may have sealed surfaces, but may be in poor condition, or lacking the road features that would enable safe travel at high speeds.”
The research showed that travelling at up to 100km/h on roads such as these may not be safe and will increase the risk of crashes, death and serious injuries. It follows then that reducing travel speed on these roads can help prevent the tragedy of road crashes, injuries and deaths.
The new impact analysis considers the options, costs and benefits for lowering the current default speed limit in the Australian Road Rules, and introducing a new default speed limit specifically for unsealed roads.
The Regulatory Impact Analysis offered three options for sealed roads … 90km/h; 80km/h; and 70km/h. And two for unsealed roads … 80km/h; and 70km/h.
“The objectives of further government action in managing default speed limits outside built-up areas can be summarised to: improve the safety of default roads outside built-up areas; reduce road deaths and serious injuries on default roads outside built-up areas; contribute towards reaching the trauma reduction targets set by the Strategy,” the analysis said.
The reports looked at death and serious injury estimates based on various scenarios. Modelling showed, for example, that if the default speed limit on unsigned sealed roads outside of built-up areas was reduced to 70km/h, a 10% reduction in fatalities between 2026 and 2036 would result in 286 fewer deaths; a 20% reduction would result in 572 fewer deaths, and a 38% reduction would result in 1,087 fewer deaths.
The resolve to reduce the road toll is one based on some horrific figures. In 2024 there were 1,291 recorded road deaths, the highest annual toll in 12 years and an increase of 18.6% compared with 2020.
Back in May 2021, the Australian Government and all state and territory governments agreed to the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30, which sets out the collective ambition of governments to improve road safety … notably including a reduction in road fatalities by 50% and serious injuries by 30% by 2030, with a long-term goal of zero by 2050.
As grey nomads are all too aware, Australia is a very large country with an extensive road network that serves a relatively small population. In 2023 it was estimated that Australia has over 460,000 kilometres of sealed roads and nearly 860,000 kilometres of unsealed roads, for a total of over 1.3 million kilometres.
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I don’t think lowering will make a difference. Drivers don’t take much notice of speed limits anyway. Imagine driving on a gravel road at 70k/hr, you would end up with a vehicle covered in dents from all the yobbos passing and throwing up stones. 80k/hr would be better, but still will not work.
Happens all the time on the Gibb River Road & some of the worst culprits are towing big vans. Always in such a hurry they miss a lot of the sights & enjoyment of the experience.
I was taught at a very early age that when driving on dirt if you see dust heading towards you to start slowing down. By the time both vehicles meet they each get to drive in almost dust free conditions. Other benefits are less vehicle damage from flying stones & the vehicle air filters aren’t getting clogged with dust needlessly.
Exactly!
I don’t know where Gibb River road is, but if it’s gravel care needs to be taken. However, here in southern Qld on bitumen roads in fair condition. Those caravan towers zoom along at only 80 km holding up all of the following vehicles – until we come to an uphill overtaking lane. Suddenly they put the foot down to 100 or over, no-one can overtake. Then they slow back down to the 80 km again. Power hungry!!!
Commonly called racing lanes
Driving a older Toyota coaster , need a run up to get up any hill mostly, especially if have to slow before , but endeavour to allow everyone to pass before end of passing lane, cars people who sit behind when there is ample room to overtake are just as troublesome
Spot on. It’s the journey, not always the destination.
The big vans haven’t been an issue for us, it’s the young ones flying past with zero road etiquette
So true I live on a dirt road and slow right down to well under 60 km saves windscreens as well there are locals who don’t care common sense is what is needed becoming scarce they don’t even slow for a sleepy lizard shingle back for others speed is preferable over death
On moving to Australia in the seventies, this is what I was taught how to drive on dirt roads, seldom encountered today sadly
How about fixing the roads first and upgrading roads first
The States are too busy spending money on things that make the State Governments look good, stuff everything else.
Absolutely, none of the states and territories are spending the the fuel excise properly any way so lowering the speed limit increases their reliance on fine income which is still not put back in to roads.
Agree
110% agree.
We should be able to traverse the roads at current speeds in safety. The roads themselves should be upgraded to allow this.
The subject isn’t our highways, but the remainder of rural roads not currently bearing speed limit signs. Think Forrest roads, bush tracts, narrow remote roads, those are the subject roads.
Would like to see the statistics on these roads, as majority of accidents happen on major roads. You also can’t educate idiots or given many patience!
Hi Jan The most important nut on a vehicle IS THE NUT BEHIND THE WHEEL
100%
Hi brian Spot on Drive to the conditions SIMPLE
Lowering the speed will make little difference, How about driver training.drive at what speed you feel safe at and comfortably with. When you get to and area where overtaking can take place .don’t speed up to block retaking just because you feel happy at that speed does not mean others don’t feel safe driving a bit fast than you. On gravel roads when passing oncoming traffic is is good to slow down and move as far left as safety possible. To avoid throwing up gravel.This is a big country manutury Lowering the speed will only increase fatigue and cause accidents. Use your brain drive at speed you are comfortable with and can handle an emergency situation. Like pot holes wild life. You don’t need government intervention. You need drivers to consider the situation they are driving in. Even on freeway in wrong conditions can be hazardous at the posted speed. Drivers awareness of their situation and capabilities as a driver needs consideration.
For me the main cause of crashes are the idiots behind the wheel. Yesterday I was driving along a service road south of Brisbane. The road had double No Passing lines down the center of the road. Coming to a right hand curve immediately through a large roundabout to an industrial site, an idiot came screaming around the bend overtaking. He was well above the 60kmh speed limit. Luckily for me there was a gravel pull-off right where I was that I immediately veered into. If that hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be posting this today.
Government’s need to look at are all the so called super highways they’ve built that detour around towns where people could stop, stretch their legs and get something to eat. Look at the boring length of road called the Bruce Highway. Look at the Hay Plains. And don’t get me started on the Nullarbor. Or the stretch of Highway that wends its way from Port Augusta up to Darwin. At 100kph or even 110kph, they’re a hell of a long stretches of road.
The governments need to look at how people are being taught to drive – or not. The foreigners who drive on international licences and don’t have a clue. Don’t look at and blame a select group of drivers. Yes I agree there are grey nomads out there who are clueless. But there are many more who aren’t. Look at the overall picture.
Road conditions change no matter what the posted speed limit is and drivers should drive to the prevailing conditions. Having lived in remote areas a newly graded made road can have a better surface than some so called sealed highways. As the surface changes so should your driving. City driving is vastly different to rural driving and those accustomed to city driving need to be extra vigilant when venturing out onto the open road as should rural drivers entering large urban areas
Common sense is required and Common sense cannot be legislated. Leave the limits where they are currently and improvev our roads.
Agree! 100%. Why does the government think they can fix everything by enforcing strictor laws and fines? This would honestly just punish people living in rural areas as we are the ones who use rural roads the most and do the most long distance driving. It will just make it harder to live and work in remote areas.
To be honest, people living in regional/remote australia know how to drive on some of the worst road surface s possible and do it safely regularly.
Spot on! The speed limits are not broken so no need to fix them. Fix the roads and fix the education of the learner drivers coming through to better respect the conditions and other users. The more restrictions introduced the more resentment and negative attitude shift to more revenue raising measures being introduced. Changing speed limits doesn’t teach anybody anything. The shift should be in attitudes from both sides. Zero by 2050 is ridiculous and unachievable. Zero will never happen and should not be the target for governments.
Precisely! People need to drive according to conditions & to not over estimate their skills & vehicles. If in doubt….SLOW DOWN…. gradually….. No sudden corrections.
There is waaayyy too much legislation….& it’s always in the interest of revenue collecting.
How can you say that? The government are just all about revenue. Just kidding, I think that’s all they care about. If you can’t safely drive at 100-110 K.P.H. you shouldn’t be driving. Drive to the prevailing conditions and you can’t go wrong.
GREAT REPLY SPOT ON
Well Said. I agree. I drive to conditions. Badly corrugated sometimes as low as 30kph, freshly graded & rolled or packed hard anything up to 100kph.signposting lower won’t make a difference.
Max is correct, I agree with Max
Totally agree. No matter what the speed limit common sense is what should limit the speed!
I must agree with you Max, common sense should prevail but unfortunately for some it does not, fix the roads not the speed limits..
100% true
Fully agree.
The speed limit in a shopping area near me is 50km/h. But when it’s busy, I go around 35. Cars parked along the street, pedestrians crossing, people opening doors wide without looking etc.
Adaptability should be taught more than just, “you’re fine if you stick to the rules.” That goes for everyone, not just new drivers.
The main causes of death on Australian roads are speeding, distracted driving (especially by mobile phones), and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Other significant factors include driver fatigue and not wearing a seatbelt.
Primary causes
Other contributing factors
With all of these causes governments will find the easiest way to control what we do so reducing the speed limit is simple. Legislation is easier than education and fixing roads.
If speeding causes one third of the fatalities, then there are bigger issues.
ALSO:
Fatalities are disproportionately higher on rural roads compared to urban roads in Australia. Approximately two-thirds of road deaths occur in regional and remote areas, while city roads account for the remaining third. This is because rural crashes often involve higher speeds and are more likely to be fatal due to factors like poorer road conditions and more significant roadside hazards.
With all that; I think that highway speeds should stay the same and address the other issues listed above.
All the stats available show speeding accounts for 41% of fatalities so why lead with the comment that’s it’s the leading cause . This only encourages governments to use this as their cash cow rather than tackle poor driving habits fatigue experience and in some cases suicides for the toll. Not to mention more drivers on the road
Speeding is not the cause of fatalities but crashing at speed is the problem.
I was a pro-racing driver in my youth and speed was essential if you wanted to avoid being shunted from the rear.
I have never seen it put that way that is great Len I will use that from now on. Like you say it is not speeding that was the problem it was the distraction and not have the skills to deal with it.
I have done a couple of million kilometres on mostly country gravel roads most at 100 to 110klm per hour accident free so far. The roads were often mostly a single grader blade wide Station roads so this really points to the fact that experience plays a massive part.
I can’t imagine driving 1200klm round trip into Mareeba,Katherine or Mount Isa at 70KLM per hour to pick up a part for an essential property machine. Station people do this every day of the week at 100klm per hour with out issues so why should we punish them.
That’s it ,what they want is creat more traps for cash.
Agreed.
Could the higher death rate on rural roads be because many of those crashes involve townies who don’t know how to drive in the bush?
Often it’s locals that get complacent with the road conditions or have overindulged with mates at the pub and driven home and hit a roo or a tree .
Roos is the number one problem, what the politicians do? NOTHING.
Above your right on the money
We travel Adelaide to Broken Hill 550 ks away
110 too slow
But because of people’s distractions they prang into something
How many times do you see people ( drivers) playing with their fancy dash screens whilst leaving a set of lights
Well said, a lot of regional road single vehicle fatalities are city drivers, who are not aware of road conditions and wild life.
I’d like to know how many of these fatalities are pedestrians and from non motorised gear.
Spoke like a true politician no idea as a interstate truck driver I get to see all situations in every state country roads and city roads Australia wide has the worst roads in the western world the population went from 7 million people to 27.5 from 1945 to 2025
If a vehicle is involved in a crash moving at any speed is the cause of the crash.
We need to look at root causes. e.g driver training,stupidity,distractions,fatigue, road conditions etc
Not sure dropping the speed limit is the solution and understand that speed and neglect can definitely contribute to unsafe driving but let’s first look at the conditions of a majority of our roads which are in poor unsafe condition.
My sentiments exactly. Far to many idiots behind the wheel. Take speed out of the equasion and tell me how many road tolls there are through stupidity. Take a lesson from overseas where their young drivers have to attend a certain amount of lessons at a driving school.
Just because there is a speed limit doesn’t mean the road is always safe to do that speed, If you are unable to determine what a safe speed for you to travel at, you should not be driving. Lowing the speed limit will make little difference other than raking in more revenue through fines. If they really wanted to reduce the road toll they would spend more of our money on driver education
In the majority of cases, the accidents are caused by drivers not driving to suit the conditions of which speed is the main factor. If the road surface is unsuitable for 100 kph speeds, then the driver should reduce speed – it’s all a matter of driver education. Our driver license testing system is pathetically inadequate.
Another factor is cruise-control. This vehicle application should be banned. All along the dead straight M1, the wreaths of flowers tell a sad story. People engage cruise-control and fall asleep because they don’t have to control the vehicle.
More thorough intensive training is needed to ensure drivers have the knowledge and ability to control their mobile deadly weapons and adjust their driving behaviour to avoid accidents.
Yes, then the morons insisted that cars had to have lane guidance, so you could fall asleep and stay on the road. Then there’s automatic emergency braking, so that you don’t run into anything in your sleep. Pity they haven’t come uop with something to stop you blowing through a stop sign or straight on at a T intersection. Thing is, every safety measure thay add seems to reduce the skill and attention applied to the act of driving and it’s a race to the bottom. Can they really keep adding safety systems fast enough to compensate for the constant decrease in skill and commitment to driving safely? Tesla says yes, but US crash statistics don’t seem to agree.
Knee Jerk Reaction
Drive to the conditions – end of story
Drive to the conditions
Please tell me how you drive safely over deep corrugated dirt roads with frequent washouts, Bull-dust. Filled craters bits of rock often unscreened mine tailings as big as a fist, cambering that’s nonexistent free movement of Cattle, and other animals (yes John Drive to the conditions at present) syne post those words every five KS compulsory Training for caravan drivers and more pull off places.
I spent Fifteen years in transport in the 60and70s you should have seen our roads then (when you could find them) drive to the Conditions
I think that the problem is not just the speed but the lack of training and knowledge in how to drive in the country. Make open road driving a part of the test. Educate driving in high schools. Some say that this knowledge will make them overconfident. They will try driving at speed anyway so give them the knowledge.
Slow traffic down on narrow country roads and educate caravan drivers to slow down on over taking lanes, I’m a caravan person myself and can’t understand people not doing so, pull off areas on small country roads would help, Tasmania has them and it gives you the opportunity to let people pass
Another revenue collection move, a tax on road users. People need to be taught and practice courtesy and common sense
Sadly you can’t legislate for those who are probably going to speed regardless of speed limits. I recently celebrated 50 years of having the privilege of a drivers license & during that time I have never received an infringement notice nor been involved in a crash (touch wood!)
Unfortunately many drivers see having a license as their given right, which it kind of is but it doesn’t give them license to break the rules. Rather than reducing speed limits surely having a theory advanced driver’s course that could be an online activity, would be a better option & undertaken every 5-10 years in order to have your license renewed.
I was once a postman & on joining I was taken out for half a day by a trainer who went through various parts of road craft designed at putting the rider in such a position at intersections etc that they could see if any vehicles were coming earlier than in other positions on the road. It also makes the vehicles more visible to each other.
I agree knee jerk reaction.
While humans drive cars there will always be accidents, people doing stupid things and breaking laws. We don’t live in Utopia, that’s life, people have accidents and die, sad but thats just how it is.
I don’t think what they are planning will make one bit of difference, lives won’t be saved, but hey the cinic in me thinks, hey how much more revenue can we make$$$.
A lot of BAD drivers out there, beware!
Agree it’s a way of life people going about ….. Country living need open roads n take passing lanes n speed limit increases 120…..70 n 80 k is backwards living
This is the government playing with statistics!!!
2020 was the middle of covid, so you would expect the road toll to fall.
2019 and 2020 were 4.3 deaths per 100,000 of the population.
2024 was 4.8 deaths per 100,000 of the population. A much more analytical overview than comparing it with 12 years ago.
there was an increase of 2 million people to our population over this time, heaven knows what their driving skills are like.
In 2017 the death toll was 4.98, and in 2018 it was 4.6.
Very comparable to 2024 given the increase in population and not worthy of the hype and panic the government is drumming up to justify their jobs.
The worst year on record was 1970 with 30.4 deaths per 100,000.
Smell like someone is trying to make a name for themselves??
I totally agree. Forget the adjustable statistics and use the percentage per population
Exactly right. The number of vehicles on road is the highest ever. It doesn’t matter what the speed limit is some drivers will always have to drive faster. Speed kills, but what was the speed? Above the limit?
How many deaths are suicide? Not wearing a seatbelt is an indication it could be suicide. Lower speed limits means trips will take longer and more fatigue and frustration. There will be an even greater number of vehicles on the roads.
Nah it is purely a pass the buck, blame the drivers, but the govt will be collecting big bucks in fines.
I think the government first needs to have a good look at the condition of many roads in Australia!
Victorian roads are a disaster as recently published.
The Bruce Highway is a continuing disaster as regularly published
Many roads in the Pilbara in WA are in shocking condition awaiting repairs.
Fix the roads first!!!!
Definitely no. The Victorian government have lowered the speed limit on country roads drastically over the last five years. Have a look at the road toll. It has actually increased each yearover the last three years. Lowest speeds do not necessarily mean less deaths. As one policeman said, it is hard to stop accidents. And accidents happen.
For goodness sake, please, please just use your brain and eyes to drive to the conditions. Please also note, no general driver training that I am aware of introduces people to driving on gravel/sandy/muddy roads….which Australia has the most of. So just please use common sense and leave the general speed limits alone. Lowering them will simply add urgency to arrive at a destination sooner by speeding…..general revenue raising and lack of enforcement prevail.
Until humans realise their selfishness on the road they will never think of others….unfortunately for Australia that will never happen
I agree – new drivers aren’t taught to think about and protect the other drivers on the road. It’s “all about me -I want to go faster, get past this car”. Leads to stupid driving decisions. This is in line with general life decisions – I wanna do tis, so I will. Common sense may only re emerge with age. Possibly, if they make it there.
So, here we go again. Let’s lower the speed limit and everyone, including truckies, will take longer to reach their destinations. Yes, I hear the calls of ‘well at least you’d arrive their alive’, but has anyone considered the deaths as a percentage of the growing population.
I tow a camper and constantly have to put up with rude and ignorant drivers abusing me for not going faster. Speed is only one factor. I have yet to see PROVEN EVIDENCE that shows lowering the speed limits to 40 and 50 kph in the metro area has directly reduced the number of deaths.
Not that we have any choice in the matter. The people in control will justify the figures so that they can reduce the speed so that everyone moves to public transport or rides pushbikes.
Where does it stop? I will be able to run faster than the speed limit if this shit gets off the ground. Drive to your ability and conditions. Won’t be able to see the big country we live in and small towns will suffer as there will no travellers passing through.
The speed limit has very little to do with it.
It’s the complete wombat drivers infesting our roads these days.
The ones who are doing 20 to 30 ks over the limit and sometimes much more
The ones that double white lines, blind crests and bends are an invitation to pass.
The ones that can’t leave their phone alone.
The ones that think taking meth or coke or getting pissed at the pub and driving is ok.
The ones that have miraculously got through their test but in all reality couldn’t drive a greasey stick up a dead bears bum.
These are the real causes of the road toll, not the bloke doing the right thing and obeying the road rules and the 100kph limit.
What a great response, and so far, all points are spot on. The media and police often report on road accidents, highlighting the devastating consequences for individuals and communities. The impact is staggering, with costs that are almost immeasurable. If de-identified accident investigation reports were publicly available, we might gain a deeper understanding of why these tragedies occur. It’s crucial to recognise that accidents are preventable, and while speed can be a factor, it’s rarely the sole cause. As discussed, various elements contribute to accidents, including vehicle roadworthiness, mechanical maintenance, tyre condition, and weight distribution. Human factors like driver fatigue and experience also play a significant role. By shedding light on these factors, perhaps we can make more informed decisions, before and when we’re on the road. Let’s all prioritise safe driving practices and look out for one another.
Most sensible nomads drive to suit the conditions. Good conditions = 100kph we then drive at 90-93, as conditions get worse we generally slow down to suit. It’s a big country, slow us down, then we are on the road longer = fatigue = crash.
I disagree dropping the limits as it will not make any difference. What I do like is the new signs in my area that state DRIVE TO THE CONDITIONS
Fix the roads, because at the rate they are deteriorating, it won’t be too long before they will be suggesting 40kph.
Of course the accident rate/road toll is increasing, the number of vehicles on Aust roads increases by about 2.7% year on year. WA and Qld had an increase of 3.75 and 3.40 per cent, respectively, between 2023 and 2024.
This means more lots vehicles in the same space, so more opportunity for accidents.
The Govt knows this, but needs money, so wants to increase the amount they rake in from speeding fines.
They are simply testing the water by releasing advance info under the guise of keeping us all safe.
.Becauses Australians are the most complacent population on earth, I guess it is inevitable.
The Governement cuts road funding to Regional Australia & spends all the money in Sydney district , that is why the roads are terrible in regional Australia , then they blame speeding for all the accidents , not the road condition which is the real cause
Drive to conditions and if going slower than other traffic such as when towing then make it compulsory to pull over and let others past. A bit of a radical idea but if a road is signposted and conditions are fine then travelling at more than 10% below the posted limit should be illegal also though our stupid laws that require speedos to over read make that difficult to enforce as half the drivers on the road currently think they are doing the speed limit when in fact are well below.
I drive a truck for a living. You wouldn’t believe what we see every day. Don’t give idiots licenses could be a starting point.
Including idiot truck drivers (and yes, I have an HR license)…
Back in the day when learners were starting it was done with the police, not via the internet or by someone whom performed a learner drivers course. Many of these learner driver teachers are no better drivers than the ones they drive with hence my point is this. Why on earth can’t the police get back into the cars with L plate drivers, be taught correctly with integrity.. understanding these days with the amount of violence, drugs, alcohol and with the “don’t care” attitude it’s very hard however the police force could employ specialist learner driver police designed for this role.
Just a thought
SPEND MONEY ON FIXING THE ROADS NOT WASTE BILLIONS ON SUBMARINES !
The major cause of accidents is driver error. Iit is naive to think speed actually CAUSES” an accident. It is always the driver’s abilities, physical and mental fitness that has them “choose” their speed, including their safe cornering speed (based on an evaluation of the conditions: road surface traction, wetness- or lack thereof). If government was serious about tackling road trauma via the driver (and building and maintaining good roads) they require drivers to participate in driving courses way beyond the learners permit standard (with compulsory reviews every 3-5 years) so people are better equipped to avoid accidents – and enjoy the driving experience more as well.
Would be a much better idea to use the rule that is enforced in other countries. More than 4 cars behind you and you must pull over at FIRST available opportunity. Slow drivers cause most of the road congestion and accidents. Roads are needed to keep the country flowing and just because the cheap option is to avoid maintenance on the roads.
Peter it is a great idea to pull over if you have a queue behind your van. But some of these cars are so close behind you and you need to be able to find a safe place to get off the road, without actually causing an accident! It is not the vans that cause the accidents but the behaviour and decisions made by the drivers behind you.
Judging by the comments so far, lowering the limits won’t be popular. But it seems pretty clear that lower speeds equals lower death and injury toll. Government will need to weigh travel time and convenience against improved public safety.
Issue is the propaganda around speed. People are being fed the mantra, that if you exceed the limit by even 1kmph, you will die. This implies that the driver is safe, as long as they stay below the limit. Obviously, this is not said, but I’m certain that a lot of unskilled drivers make that assumption in their head.
Unfortunately, speed limits cannot account for weather and road conditions, driver experience, and any other variables.
I think it’s a bit ridiculous dropping the speed limits from 100 klms per hour to 70 klms per hour and really I think it’s a bit discriminating to the country drivers. Instead of dropping the speed limits the government should concentrate on fixing the roads properly instead of just patching them up. It’s a joke really the amount of money it costs for car registration these days we should have far better roads to drive on. Road’s years ago were far better than they are today at least then they ripped up the road and redone them but these days especially in country roads all they do is drop a bit of hot mix with gravel mixed in it into the hole and tap it down with a shovel and that’s it. The next few days it’s back to square one because the road’s weren’t repaired properly the hole is once again a danger to anyone driving on our roads. If you want to fix the roads then do it properly in the first place
Once upon a time , we used our driving skills to drive to conditions. We self regulated for safety.
I think we could ask the Queensland government to obtain the road design plans from Western and South Australia. Having just spent the last 6 weeks on a road trip, driving on SA roads has been a joy. Heavy transport uses them constantly, yet they are wide and smooth. They are not new roads, but were built to standards that take the wear.
Improve the roads and save lives.
Well said that’s my thoughts as well improve the road’s we drive on I just lost a friend of mine and his wife as they hit a pothole and the car lost control and went into the path of an oncoming semi trailer
It is very sad that there are so many road deaths on our road’s these days but dropping the speed limits to such a low speed is not the way to go. Road conditions need to be assessed by the driver themselves if the roads are unsafe to drive on at higher speeds then they need to slow down to the road conditions. Another thing is that 40 to 50 years ago there were a lot less vehicles on our roads. And now days millions more vehicles on the roads you are going to get more fatilaties unfortunately but that’s were it comes back to the driver stick to the driving conditions
The answer for governments always seems to be whatever is cheapest, regardless of it effect on the public. Instead of improving the roads, they just want lower the speed limits. This will cause frustration and poor driving behaviour.
Leave the speed at 100km on sealed roads, lower the speed to 80km on unsealed roads and improve the roads by widening the sealed roads and grading the unsealed roads more frequently.
one of the major causes of carnage on the roads is the mobile phone you see this all the time stupid people holding their phones with their right-hand up to their empty heads yapping away, or dipshits texting with their phones on their laps or reading texts. Why?? when most cars these days have android radios where you can make a call or receive a call all without taking your hands off the wheel, you can even talk to your Android to make a call or answer the phone, but you still see these dumbos texting What’s with this texting BS, is it because it’s cheaper than actually talking ? or just plain arrogance without actual conversation, then it’s the telcos that need their asses kicked, surely, they can disable sending or receiving texts whilst moving between towers or increase the costs to match a call. how about one of these Techo’s coming up with an APP to convert voice to text via your car’s android.
The current maximum speed limit of 100kph is sensible in a country the size of Australia where the road systems cover vast distances.
You cannot trust data snippets that single agenda policy people base their arguments on. All too often their modelling is shown to be flawed over the passage of time. Have these policy people lived in rural and remote locations outside urban areas and experienced a regular shopping drive 130 kms each way. I recall when John Cain was the Premier of Victoria in the ’90’s and there were a spate of fatal accidents in Melbourne. The government’s response was to drop the 110km speed limit to 100km, although none of the accidents occurred in these zones.
Finally, the sad truth is that to get to zero fatalities all vehicles must be prohibited from operating on roads. When the motor car was first introduced there had to be a person with a red flag walking ahead for safety. This maybe what the road safety cohort are aiming for?
As someone who cruises along at about 50km/h on average, this whole thing doesn’t really affect me much.
But here’s the question – sure, drop the speed limit if you want, but how the hell are they going to police it?
You don’t see too many cops out on the backroads doing the government’s revenue raising.
Feels more like another way to make life harder for country folk just trying to get on with their work.
Truth is, common sense isn’t something they teach in the city. So when the weekend warriors hit the dirt, they drive like they’re still on bitch-u-ment – and that’s when things go pear-shaped.
If they really want to make a difference, start by putting limiters on those mine utes – I’ve seen some of them flying along at ridiculous speeds and driving like maniacs.
I believe that the government is not keeping up with road upgrades. There is more traffic on the roads but the roads are not being upgraded at the same pace, especially in the bush.
Gosh this whole article seems insulting. Do they think we are all idiots…saying not all roads can be travelled at the limit, thats the maximum allowed speed. Well, dah.
We don’t need the Government to fix everything or tell us what to do all the time. Each individual is responsible for their own decisions. And more control through stricter laws and panelties is not the solution.
Common sense works a treat. Support family structures and parents & the older generation will naturally pass this little gem onto their children because they love them. It’s all free too. (I know there are some stupid parents out there, but that the exception and you dont punish the whole for the exception).
Ok rant over.
There are permanent ” ROUGH SURFACE ” sighs all over Vic country roads , Loose rock signs , reduced speed 80km per hour, 40 km per hour everywhere on our country roads. I reckon they have so many potholes they have run out of signs so the broke Allen government is going to do this scam on the cheap by making default speeds lower.
What about potholes on the Vic roads maintained major hay’s.
I hit a series of portholes on the hwy between Seymour and Broardford ( towards Melbourne) at 110km per hour and blew a tyre out and bent a rim. Only just managed to miss the barrier. Very scary changing a tyre with trucks and traffic flying past at 110km per hour.
Are they going to lower the speed limit on what is supposed to be our best maintained Highways?
I believe that lowering the speed limit will cause more accidents as people already drive a lot under the speed limit. These people should be fined It gets people frustrated makes them wanna go faster to get to that place ,work it out common sense people get that’s why there’s a lot of road rage comes from slow drivers and then going slower because they’re up the bum so they piss people off more by going slower. Pure common sense.
Road rage is your problem, not theirs. Get over yourself. There are a dozen reasons someone might drive slower, and your impatience to shave off a few minutes is far more dangerous than those following the road conditions.
as fulltime grey nomads 8 1/2 years we drive many back roads between towns just to see the countryside .Many of these pot holed roads are only suitable for travelling at 80kph towing a caravan anyway . We’re always mindful of those behind us in cars doing higher speeds and pull over if we get a stream of traffic behind us . So I applaud this decision. Government can’t regulate to stop people driving without due consideration to the road conditions as they’ll drive above the speed limit anyway . We rarely see police on these roads . I highly recommend anyone new to our lifestyle install a uhf especially to talk truckies overtaking safely .
Agreed, on all points…
The quality and condition of regional and country roads, sealed or unsealed is appalling. They are a death trap waiting to snap shut at any speed. Government at all levels need to get a better job done building roads to a better standard. Not the cheapest cost for political grandstanding. Upper Lachlan Shire Council NSW is a classic example of poor road management.
A country road that is safe in a car at 120kph one day may only be safe at 60kph the next day. People need to learn to drive to the conditions. You can’t legislate away stupid. We always looks at the total fatality figures, but what are the fatality figures per million kms driven? If the default speed limit is 100kph then maintain the roads to that standard.
Wouldn’t it be better to upgrade the roads in the rural areas instead of spending all the money on City roads? We use more fuel than city drivers going from point A to point B, this is due to the fact of how large our country is. We don’t have the public transport system like the cities. So this means that we pay more in fuel taxes and all we get is billy goat tracks for roads. So it’s about time we get a fair deal. Every time a road gets rough or damaged in the rural areas instead of fixing the problem they keep lowering the speed limit.
To start with. The Government talks about bringing in a Law to make those people who are purchasing a Caravan or Large Trailer to undergo a driver training day. This is now essential with the number of Large Caravans entering the Market. Their Licence shout show that they are qualified to tow a caravan over 2mts in length and greater then 500 kgs in weight. I would suggest 3 levels of qualifications as the different sizes and weights would make this more practical. Any Towing vehicle and van over a certain length and weight should be restricted to a maximum speed of 80 klm. With that said, reducing the speed limit on country roads will not lower the accident rates in these areas. I would venture that most accidents on country roads are caused by fatigue and speed. Speed limits are usually ignored in an effort to”get home after work” and driving into or parallel to the Setting Western Sun.
Revenue raising…
Look what they did to get a motor bike licence now, like over a grand in courses….
I’ve been towing big boats n shit for years imagine paying to do a course now….
I drive country roads all the time and it’s much safer at 120 to 140, you zip past kangaroos in stead of sneaking up on them and scaring them to run infront of you….. I have had more near misses and kangaroo hits at low speeds, cause they don’t hear you….governments just doing this for revenue raising, look at the statistics, would of been worse back in the day with less safer cars per capita., just there a way bigger population now, that’s why it’s higher now (prob not if look up statistics your self, gov lie to get there adgenda across…….
At 50km/h, roos usually hear me coming and clear out—or if they stick around, they can easily outrun me. Slower speeds also give you time to read the road and dodge most of the rough patches.
120-140 sounds so dangerous!
How long does it take you to drive from say Adelaide to Darwin, or Sydney to melb… or sydney to Adelaide…..DAYS, WEEKS… lol
A quick drive to my holiday shack takes me 1hr 40 (sitting on currant legal speed limits) same trip take you 3hr 28min and you will cause alot road rage doing 50 in 110zone….. so while your still driving two hours on…. I’m not.
Hate towns, my journey is not point A to B its everything in between that’s the pure pleasure. My speed does not cause road rage as i leave the highway traveling to those town lovers that think the beauty is in the towns. It can take me a days travel to get 100km any more then that and i have been travelling too fast. I travel on country roads where you might have two or so cars only that interrupt the day. When in traffic 80kph is fast enough.
Top comment!!!
Statistically lower per head of population.
As population increases, more drivers on the road.
Yet the deaths on Australian roads are either static or slight movement, up or down, on a yearly basis.
There’s the problem. Max speed in OZ is 110 and you drive at 120 to 140 under the pretext that, as you say, “it’s safer”.
Na, I dont look at my speedo all the time, I just drive to the conditions, but when I do look down, I’m often around the 130… still fells like I’m sitting on 100…. in my landcruiser, frig I could do 160+ in that new car and I’d lay money on it, that new car handles and pulls up way quicker then any previous car I’ve owned in the last 35yrs, and in the case of an accident, 12 airbags, tensioning seat belts, abs, but yet they drop the limit from 110 to 100 in most SA, and no open limit for NT, now 130…. now there’s talk of dropping it to 70, 80, or 90 for country…. obviously these pollies that decide this, dont drive anywhere but around a city and fly everywhere else….
It’s revenue raising……. nothing else
Justification without a shred of supporting evidence…
Same can be said for raising speeding fines and lowering limits and the speed cameras popping up everywhere…… cars are way safer today….. its the international drivers that are unsafe, wrong side the road etc. It’s about revenue raising, not safety…… ever driven long distance….. more tiring driving at low speeds, high speed you stay alert, you have too, also you get there quicker, so dont get drowsy and fall asleep. In a 8hr road trip, I can get 400k on top of you, or if we’re going the same place, I’ll be there 2hrs and 15mins before you.
The Newell Highway between Coonabarabran and Goondiwindi, labor govt came in, lowered speed limit to 100k, road toll on this road increased. Liberal govt returned to power in NSW, lifted limit back to 110k, road toll on this road dropped. Historical fact, check for yourself.
Nuff said?
At slower speeds you have time to see all including other drivers coming up behind you. Bitch-u-ment bores me and makes me tied very quickly.