Drivers in a spin over speed limits (in WA)

Drivers in a spin over speed limits... Even Premier Colin Barnett has admitted that some limits "don't make sense".
KENT ACOTT, The West Australian
August 6, 2011, 9:14 am
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9984140/drivers-in-a-spin-over-speed-limits/

Many motorists are confused by speed limits across the metropolitan area.

Even Premier Colin Barnett has admitted that some limits "don't make sense".

Asked on a news website why there were so many inconsistencies between speed limits on Perth roads, Mr Barnett said: "I agree. When I drive on country roads, which I do regularly, I am dismayed at the number of changes in the speed limit.

"For example, it can go from 70km/h to 110km/h back to 80km/h. It makes no sense."

It seems many drivers agree with Mr Barnett.

A recent RAC survey of members revealed that motorists were often confused by speed limit changes (87 per cent) and unsure of what speed zones they were travelling in (80 per cent in metropolitan area and 60 per cent on country roads).

One reader who contacted The West Australian named roads in the Avon Valley as having "illogical speed limits" that "change just to trap drivers, rather than protect them".

Another reader said it made no sense that three parallel roads - Beechboro Road, Alexander Drive and Marmion Avenue - should have such different speed limits in the stretch from Reid Highway to Gnangara Road (or Whitfords Avenue in the case of Marmion Avenue).

Speeds on Beechboro Road range from 90km/h to 80km/h and then to 60km/h; Alexander Drive is almost 70km/h for the entire run and Marmion Avenue has 80km/h for the stretch.

Despite Mr Barnett's view, Transport Minister Troy Buswell is comfortable with the system.

"Speed limits are set based on criteria to enable traffic to flow as safely and as quickly as possible," he said. "This means, based on individual circumstances, that road speeds will vary."

The issue has already become a political one in NSW where the Liberal State Government has honoured an election commitment to audit speed limits with a view to having "fewer speed limit changes on stretches of road".

"Speed limits should be about the safe and efficient movement of traffic, not about revenue raising," then Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell said in February.

Shadow roads minister Andrew Stoner also said at the time that "drivers often find themselves on roads with speed limits that are unclear, confusing and inconsistent".

"We believe that clearer and more consistent speed limits will not only increase driver compliance and safety, but also improve traffic flow and help reduce travel times," he said.