Petition calls for reduction to Warrego Highway speed limit after tragedy

A NEW petition asking for the speed limit of a section of the Warrego Highway to be reduced has been created.

Yuleba resident Paul Masson’s e-petition, which demanded the State Government reduce the speed limit of the highway through the southwest town of Yuleba to 60km/h, has already attracted nearly 300 signatures in a week.

The calls for the speed reduction from 80km/h come after much-loved 84-year-old resident Shirley Miller died while crossing the road in late May.

Mr Masson’s petition said both the Maranoa Regional Council and Yuleba residents held concerns at the speeds allowable through the town.

“(For) six years, the community and the Maranoa Regional Council have requested the Department of Transport and Main Roads to reduce the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h on this stretch of highway,” the petition said.

“(There are) ongoing safety concerns of residents, children, elderly people and truck drivers who cross the road on foot to access services on both sides of the highway.”

Mrs Miller, who was born and raised in Yuleba, was struck by a truck while crossing the main street of Yuleba to visit a friend.

Miles police Sergeant Werner Crous called the incident a “bloody tragedy” that remained under investigation by the Forensic Crash Unit.

The State Government held a review into the speed limit in 2016 and ruled that a change wasn’t needed.

“We are not aware of any recent formal submissions or applications to reduce the speed limit,” the spokeswoman told The Chronicle last month.

To sign the petition, head to parliament.qld.gov.au/workof-assembly/petitions/.