Premier shuts down calls to increase highway limit to 130km/h
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has rejected calls to increase the speed limit on a major inter-city highway, blaming the rising road toll.
Former traffic cop-turned country politician Bill Tilley had claimed Victoria was stuck in the past given the faster European-style speed limits currently on offer.
Mr Tilley called for motorists on the Hume Highway to be able to drive at 130km/h – 20km/h more than the current speed limit.
“We should have a debate. We should have a conversation,” he said.
Mr Tilley said there should be a parliamentary inquiry into raising the limit on the highway which he says is do-able given modern cars are safer and the road is in a good condition.
But Mr Andrews was quick to shut down the idea.
“Many people have views and opinions. That’s fine,” he said.
“But we have no plans to change out speed limits to 130km/h.”
Mr Andrews found support in the RACV, with spokesperson Brian Negus confirming it would be too dangerous to raise the limit.
“One hundred and thirty kilometres on the Hume Highway is really too fast at this stage,” he said.
“We have a lot of intersections and a lot of unprotected tree. Lots of trucks, caravans.”
Despite his concerns about raising the limit on the Hume Highway, Mr Negus did back increasing the speed limit to 110km/h on the Geelong Highway after Hoppers Crossing.
