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<\/p>\n
A 2014 study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre also projected a 110kmh speed limit on the Princes Highway would result in one more fatality and five more serious injuries every four years.<\/p>\n
O’Brien rejected suggestions a higher speed limit would lead to more deaths.<\/p>\n
“Over the past couple of decades, this road has been upgraded dramatically,” he said. “We’ve got safety barriers in place now; we’ve got duplication all the way to Colac.<\/p>\n
“More importantly, we’ve also got vehicles that are far safer now than they have ever been, whether it’s lane assist or automatic braking \u2013 all of those things that actually make it much safer and allow us to do this.<\/p>\n
“We think there’s a balance to be struck between road safety and efficiency, and we think in this case, it absolutely is safe to go ahead and do it.”<\/p>\n
Dr Afshin Jafari from RMIT’s School of Global, Urban and Social Studies said lifting the freeway’s speed limit from 100kmh to 110kmh was not safety-neutral.<\/p>\n
“Higher speeds increase stopping distance, leave drivers less time to react and increase the severity of crashes,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Some recently upgraded and lower-volume sections west of Geelong may be suitable for reassessment, but duplication alone does not make a road appropriate for 110kmh.<\/p>\n
\u201cIntersections, access points, barriers, road geometry, heavy vehicle traffic and crash history all need to be considered.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Liberals have dismissed concerns their proposed 110kmh speed limit on the Princes Freeway between Geelong and Melbourne would lead to more crashes or injuries, arguing advances in road design and vehicle safety have made the increase safe. The new limit, which the Liberals would introduce if they win November’s state election, would apply on […]<\/p>\n