By Melissa Grant
Drivers will have to wipe off 10 on the road for about 10.5km, between Greenhills Road, Pakenham and the Kooweerup township.
VicRoads Regional Director, Metropolitan South East Duncan Elliot this week confirmed the speed limit changes, saying four additional ‘new speed limit; warning signs were expected to be installed within two weeks.
The announcement comes after Cardinia’s top traffic cop Sergeant Nigel Atkins asked VicRoads to review the 100km/h limit, saying an 80km/h zone would be more appropriate.
As the Gazette reported in July, Sgt Atkins was concerned about the escalating number of crashes on the road and its surface.
Sgt Atkins welcomed the new 90km/h limit.
“This is sensational news for our community safety and will undoubtedly and ultimately assist road safety for all persons travelling along this portion of road,” he said.
“Each kilometre reduction in speed reduces the risk of crashing by three per cent – a small drop in speed equals a large drop in road trauma.”
“I am extremely pleased with this wise decision made by the authorities. This 10 per cent speed reduction is a positive and will save further road trauma for Victorians.”
Caroline Roff, of the Kooweerup Township Committee, welcomed the change but said most motorists struggled to reach ‘100 clicks’.
“The state of the road is so bad that most people are driving at 90km/h anyway,” she said.
>>> What do you think of the speed limit change? Email editor@starnewsgroup.com.au or write to the Gazette at PO Box 9, Pakenham, 3810.