By Shelby Brooks
Cardinia Road will become the second rural road in Cardinia Shire to be dropped to 80km/h in two days, following the reduction of the speed limit on the nearby parallel Healesville-Kooweerup Road today Monday 17 May.
Last week, VicRoads announced the reduction in the Healesville-Kooweerup Road limit from 90km/h to 80km/h in a bid to improve safety.
Now, the speed limit on Cardinia Road, between Centenary Boulevard, Officer South to Ballarto Road in Cardinia, will change from 100km/h to 80km/h from Tuesday 18 May.
The 6.5km stretch will have new speed limit signs installed, including yellow ‘new limit’ signs to increase driver awareness of the new speed limit.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen said the speed limit reduction brings an appropriate speed limit to the stretch of road for current conditions and is expected to add about one minute to travel times.
“Road trauma is unfortunately still an ongoing issue on our roads,” he said.
“Having already seen our region tick over the grim milestone this year of 20 fatalities on our roads – 12 on Cardinia’s arterial roads – there’s never been a more important time to heed the road safety message.
“It’s important we keep road safety initiatives such as lowering the speed limit in perspective. Sixty seconds more on a travel time is a very, very small increase compared to improving the safety of the community on our roads.”
The change comes in line with National Road Safety Week 16-23 May.
“We’re strongly encouraging all motorists to slow down, obey all speed limits, not drive under the influence, and drive to survive on roads in Cardinia,” said Cr Owen.
The speed limit change is in accordance with the Victorian State Speed Zoning Guidelines and has support from both Victoria Police and the Department of Transport.
Cardinia Council remains committed to improving the local road network and road safety as part of our Road Safety Strategy, Safer Community Strategy and Better Local Roads Programs, and continues to advocate for further upgrades to major roads that will improve the safety of our roads and community.
Victoria Police Superintendent David Cowan said even a small reduction in speed can significantly reduce the risk of incidence occurring on local roads.
“We are incredibly concerned around the number of fatalities and serious injuries we have seen on our local roads so far this year and we are urging all motorists to obey speed limits,” Supt Cowan said.
“The message from Victoria Police is simple – obey the road rules, slow down and respect other road users.
“Police will continue to do everything within our power to keep every Victorian road user safe, however, there is also a significant onus on all who get behind the wheel to slow down and take care on our roads.”
