TAS, KINGSBOROUGH - Rural default speed limit changes, trial.

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Note: Information.

21 August 2007

The existing 100km/h Tasmanian rural default speed limit is set to be lowered to 90km/h (Asphalt) AND 80km/h (Gravel) for the KINGBOROUGH area - as a 'trial'.

I would expect other AUS jurisdictions to follow with time to an advocated 80km/h. I have some concern with having TWO rural defaults, as a road worthy of a speed higher than 80km/h can be so posted easily enough without upsetting the treasury balance!!

The reasoning being that old pre 1979 rural speed-zoning practice, typically of 80km/h was indeed 'safer', than was made with later with greater use of both 100km/h signposted, AND the 100km/h rural default adoptions. With a rural default, we really are talking about the worse of the worse.

The 100km/h criteria was chosen back then to reduce road user 'concern' at speed derestriction/prima-facie allowance removal.

So, to a degree its back to the future, except that the new 'limit' (in this TAS example 'limits') is an absolute, and not prima facie per se!

The return to an 80km/h "rural default" for gravel roads and 90km/h for asphalt rural roads, will give greater credibility to existing posted speed-limited lengths of rural road over time, AND can mean higher posted speed limit allowances (than 100-110km/h) for certain high-standard road lengths, or if the jurisdiction decides, speed derestriction on some lengths.

In effect, the trade off for higher posted speed limits, OR for speed derestriction, EACH for specific "lengths of road", *must first* see a reduction in the existing rural defaults.

My view is that it is appropriate to only have a single rural default speed limit, for cost effectiveness and safety, etc.

The 'worse lengths' of default speed-limited rural roads around Australia will be signposted using the "R4-12 : End Speed-Limit" sign. (Not the speed derestriction). The sign signals that the rural default applies, BUT that the road ahead has recognised quality and safety issues. This sign might sometimes carry the additional warning vis; "RURAL ROAD-DRIVE TO CONDITIONS" Use of this sign will be the exception more than the rule.

http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story...5-3462,00.html