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Will the new speed limit substantially increase travel times on the Newell Highway?
Travel time is determined by several factors apart from speed. The speed limit reduction is expected to increase travel time for motorists by around 35 mins only on the entire 1060km length of the highway. Travel time increases for shorter trips would generally be minor. For example, from Tocumwal to Jerilderie the travel time would only increase by less than 3 minutes and to continue to Narrandera would add 5 minutes.
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.
Do reduced speed limits increase fatigue related crashes?
There is no evidence that reducing the speed limit increases fatigue related crashes. In fact travelling at higher speeds requires more concentration which induces fatigue. It can be shown that the chance of a fatigue related crash is greater in 110 km/h speed limited roads than 100 km/h roads.
Regardless of the behavioural factors causing the crash (speed, fatigue, alcohol) speed adds to the severity of the crash.
What’s being done to improve the highway?
The RTA is spending an additional $30 million over the next three years to improve safety and efficiency on the Newell. This includes intersection upgrades, improved signage, wider shoulders and removal of roadside hazards.
How do we know reducing the speed limit will improve safety?
Australian and international research conclusively shows that reducing speed limits has been effective in reducing the number and severity of crashes. Based on previous results we can expect 10 to 20 lives to be saved within the next five years, as well as a significant reduction in injuries.
There has been a 26 per cent reduction in casualty crashes on Great Western Highway after the speed limits were reduced from 110 km/h to 100 km/h.
Isn’t reducing the speed limit just revenue raising?
Reducing the speed limit is an effective way of managing speed and improving road safety. Reducing the road toll on NSW roads is the RTA’s key objective.
But not all the crashes are speed related?
True. Many of the crashes are related to other factors including fatigue and driver distraction. While speeding may not necessarily be the primary cause of all crashes, higher speeds increase the likelihood of a crash occurring and make the outcome of any crash more severe.
Speed is the major cause of many crashes. We are not expecting that the reduced speed limit will remove all crashes, but it will reduce both the risk and severity of crashes.
What is the difference between 110 km/h and 100 km/h, how can just 10 km/h make such a difference?
The difference is significant. If two motorists, one travelling at 110km/h the other at 100km/h brake at the same time, the vehicle travelling at 110km/h would still be moving at 54km/h when the vehicle travelling at 100 km/h would have come to a complete stop.
The vehicle travelling at 100km/h would take 91 metres to stop while the vehicle travelling at 110km/h would need 105 metres"
source
Newell Highway reduced speed limit
