MEDIA RELEASE
5 NOVEMBER
NEWELL HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT CHANGE TO TAKE
EFFECT FROM 1 DECEMBER
An RTA spokesperson said the maximum speed limit on the Newell Highway will be
reduced from 110km/h to 100km/h on 1 December.
“The reduced limit was one of the initiatives discussed as part of a review of safety
issues on the 1060km stretch of highway.
“Earlier this year, the RTA carried out a review of safety issues on the Newell
Highway and as a result of that review, the New South Wales Government will spend
$30 million in the next three years on a safety program for the Newell.
“Part of this program includes reducing the maximum speed limit to 100km/h in a bid
to reduce the number of fatal and injury crashes on the highway.
“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.
“Extensive Australian and international research shows that reducing speed limits
has been effective in reducing the road toll, including the number and severity of
crashes. The proposed maximum speed limit of 100km/h is in line with international
best practice in speed management,” the spokesperson said.
The Newell Highway is 1060km long and stretches from the Victorian border to the
Queensland border.
“More than $250 million has been spent in the past five years on safety and traffic
improvements on the Newell Highway. Another $54 million worth of work is being
carried out this year.
“Speeding is a factor in more than 40 per cent of fatality crashes in NSW. Motorists
are urged to take regular breaks on long trips to avoid fatigue and travel on the
Newell Highway is no exception.
“Heavy vehicles are already limited to 100 km/h or 90 km/h so the reduction in the
speed limit will not impact on delivery targets or freight costs.
“It is expected that the reduction in the speed limit will also reduce the difference in
travel speeds between the various road users on the open road and reduce the need
for overtaking,” the spokesperson said.
“A section of the Newell Highway south of Coonabarabran already has a 100 km/h
speed limit so the change will bring the whole highway into line.
“The RTA regularly monitors and reviews speed limits in accordance with RTA Speed
Zoning Guidelines,” the spokesperson said.
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
