VTA advocates 90km/h speed limits for trucks and mandatory drug and alcohol testing for drivers
By Ruza Zivkusic | June 3, 2011
The Victorian Transport Association’s (VTA) call for a lower truck speed limit on Melbourne motorways, freeways and highways has been met with a grain of salt by motoring group RACV.
VTA met with the state’s Transport Minister Terry Mulder on April 27, asking for his commitment in “addressing improved transport safety and the need for all vehicles on Victoria’s roads to share the road effectively.”
VTA CEO Phil Lovel believes a 90km/h speed limit on routes surrounding Melbourne will help prevent accidents. Under his proposal, speed limits on routes in regional and country areas will remain the same.
But RACV General Manager for public policy is not so convinced, saying the proposal needs to be further researched.
“We need to have an analysis of the effect of different speed limit because the evidence we have seen from the past is that differential speed limit can decrease road safety and often cause more confusion,” Negus says.
“I’m aware that in some places in Europe there is part-differential speed; trucks are generally travelling at 10km/h less but there needs to be some research of the effects before we jump and say we should do it.”
VTA is also pushing for mandatory drug and alcohol testing for the road transport industry.
“VTA, with support from VicRoads, has implemented a drug and alcohol management regime that is proving successful for participating companies,” Lovel told Mulder during the meeting.
“We wish to explore with the government and VicRoads the possibility that drug and alcohol testing be made mandatory for the road transport industry.”
Negus has welcomed the call.
Do you have any thoughts on the proposal? Will lower speed limits reduce accidents? Is mandatory testing needed? Leave your thoughts below or contact ATN directly