Queensland has gone through a lengthy review process of its speed limits and has finally revealed the changes – virtually nothing.
In fact, in its first review of speed limits in decades, several roads will actually get slower speed limits, despite the decreasing road toll and much safer vehicles over the past few decades.
In the biggest slap in the face to motorists, the speed limits on several highways will remain at 100km/h, including the modern, four-lane stretch from the Gateway merge to Caboolture where motorists had wanted 110km/h. This stretch and several other roads, including the Pacific Motorway, could realistically tolerate 130km/h speed limits as they are in better condition than some of the 130km/h roads in the Northern Territory.
Northern Territory 130km/h signThis is a backward step for a state that already has a reputation of living in the past.
It has nothing do with safety despite what the lollies and RACQ say, and it’s not even a cover-up for the bad state of our roads. In fact, one particular stretch from Moore to Benarkin on the Brisbane Valley highway has recently been upgraded to a standard that would embarrass many international racetracks. Yet it’s gone from 80km/h to 60km/h and the approach sections of 80km/h have also been scrapped.
Transport and Main Roads examined speed limits on 100 roads after receiving more than 3300 public submissions last year. It is believed most submissions wanted higher speeds on major roads and slower speeds in the suburbs.
The department has so far only finalised investigations on 20 sites with changes recommended on nine sections of nine different roads.
Only two roads get higher speed limits: 60 to 70km/h on Beenleigh-Redland Bay Road between the Pacific Motorway and Mount Cotton Road, and 70-80km/h on Stewart Road from the M1 to the Gold Coast Highway at Currumbin Waters.
The new speed limits will take effect when signs are changed.
There seems little hope for any sanity in speed limits on the remaining 80 roads which are still being investigated.
You wonder why they asked for submissions in the first place!