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Cutting Newell speed will increase fatigue: NRMA

NRMA says plans to cut the speed limit on the Newell Highway will increase driver fatigue

November 2, 2009

The National Roads and Motoring Authority (NRMA) says cutting the speed limit on the Newell Highway will lead to safety issues such as driver fatigue.

NRMA Regional Director Graham Blight has questioned the Road and Traffic Authority’s (RTA) plans to reduce the speed limit from 110km/h to 100km/h.

He says there is no benefit in forcing people to drive for longer because the RTA’s 2009 Newell Highway Safety Review found fatigue was the dominant behavioural cause of casualties.

“All vehicles will be forced to travel at 100km/h under the proposed 10 km/h reduction, creating all sorts of safety issues for overtaking and long queues on a road that has overtaking lanes on only nine per cent of its length.”

Blight says the NRMA supports any plans to reduce the number of crashes, but it wants the RTA to consult the trucking industry and the Newell Highway taskforce before making any decisions.

The NRMA has urged all Newell Highway users to have a say by signing a petition.

“I encourage everyone who relies on the Newell Highway to go to their local NRMA office located on or near the Highway and sign the NRMA’s petition.”

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