July 29, 2014
A request by the Yarraman Community Council to consider lowering the speed limit on the D’Aguilar Highway through town to 50km/h has been rejected by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
YCC president Murray McGee wrote to Transport Minister Scott Emerson in the wake of two truck accidents in town.
Mr McGee argued that the New England Highway section in Yarraman was 50km/h but joined the D’Aguilar Highway which was 60km/h.
However a letter he received back today says there will be no change in the speed limits.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads advises that the 60km/h speed limit through Yarraman starts well north of the town,” Senior Policy Adviser Ian Andrew wrote.
“In fact, considerably further north than would normally be the case in similar situations. This zone has previously been extended further to the north at the request of the Queensland Police Service and is designed to slow motorists approaching Yarraman down the hill from the north.
“The current 60km/h speed zone in Yarraman complies with the requirements of the Manual of Traffic Control Devices, which is the standard used to determine speed limits across the State.
“A 50km/h speed limit on this section of the D’Aguilar Highway through Yarraman is not warranted due to the road environment which has good visibility and wide road shoulders and the function of the highway as a key link road.
“I understand there is a 50km/h speed limit on the New England Highway in Yarraman. This is due to the narrower road width and roadside parking / pedestrian movements in that part of town.
“TMR also advises that it tested this section of the D’Aguilar Highway and found it is suitable for all vehicles driven at the posted speed limit.
“However, TMR further advises that as a result of the recent incidents involving heavy vehicles, it will install additional warning signs targeted at heavy vehicle operators and speed limit reinforcement signs on the southbound approach to Yarraman where the road curves downhill to the township.”
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The speed limit is not the issue, it is the speed that vehicles travel through the town.
I have been through there doing 60 kph and had people overtaking me.
So let’s change the minds of people and get them to drive safely.
Speed limits only affect those doing the right thing, and not the cowboys and cowgirls on the road.