MEDIA RELEASE
20 NOVEMBER
NEWELL HIGHWAY TASKFORCE
MEETING WITH RTA
Director of the NSW Centre for Road Safety Dr Soames Job today met with the
Newell Highway Taskforce to discuss the reduced speed limit on the highway.
“The meeting was very productive and it was great to have an opportunity to present
the research and investigations behind this decision,” Dr Job said.
“Traffic volumes on the Newell Highway have grown substantially and the mix of
traffic has changed since the speed limit was set at 110 kmh - that speed limit is no
longer appropriate.
“The risk of a crash
being fatal
is about 50 per cent higher on roads with 110 km/h
speed limits compared to roads with a 100 km/h speed limit.
“In the past five years, 69 people have been killed on the Newell Highway, including
11 this year alone – and that is 69 too many.
“Australian and international research shows that reducing speed limits reduces the
number of fatal and injury crashes.
“Reducing the speed limit from 110 km/h to 100 km/h on the Great Western Highway
resulted in a 26 per cent decrease in casualty crashes.
“Reducing speed allows a motorist more time to assess hazards, reduces braking
distance, increases driver control and reduces the impact in the event of a crash.
“This change will only add about four minutes to a journey between Parkes and West
Wyalong; five minutes between Parkes and Dubbo and two minutes between Dubbo
and Gilgandra,” Dr Job said.
In response to some community concerns, Dr Job will arrange to meet with
community representatives on the southern sector of the Newell Highway.
Removal of the 110 km/h speed markings on the road surface will begin on Monday
and electronic message signs will alert motorists to the reduced speed limit, which
will take effect from 1 December.
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
