Speeds reduced on town boundaries
Speed zones will be lowered on the approach and exit roads for the two towns to better reflect increased residential development, access points and traffic volumes.
Crash data also has been analysed by VicRoads to ensure a safer road network for Drouin and Neerim South.
The roads where speed zones will be lowered or extended include Princes Way, Main Neerim Rd and Main South Rd in Drouin. Several sections of Main Neerim Rd also will be lowered to improve safety for residents in Neerim South, Neerim, Neerim Junction and Noojee. The changes will be introduced next month. VicRoads eastern region planning manager Pas Monacella said VicRoads was making the changes after a review of these town approach speeds and discussions with road safety partners including police and Baw Baw Shire.
In Drouin, the existing 90 km/h zone between Wellwood Rd and Princes Fwy will be lowered to 80 km/h.
Mr Monacella said increased development and new subdivisions in this area (about 2.5 kilometre length) mean there is a greater volume of vehicles using and accessing this road, therefore a safer travel speed was required.
Crash history in Main South Rd indicated there were 30 casualty crashes in the past 20 years, nine of which were serious injury collisions.
These collisions resulted in nine people being seriously injured, 29 sustaining short-term injuries and 35 people escaped injury.
The data showed the majority of these collisions were single vehicle off-road crashes which indicated inappropriate speeds.
The new speed zones will be over a four kilometre length of Main South Rd. An 80 km/h speed limit will be introduced before the 60 km/h limit in Drouin, from Westernport Rd to the existing 60 km/h zone.
The new 80 km/h zone is designed to slow traffic on the approach to Drouin and create a better transition between high speed rural areas and built up residential areas.
The four kilometre length also includes Drouin South Primary School.
“The new 80km/h zone between the 100km/h and 60km/h on Main South Road will assist drivers to slow down by the time they have reached the Drouin township.
“The 80 km/h zone reflects the increased development at the edges of the town on this approach, and will now extend past Drouin South Primary School and two high-volume intersections,” Mr Monacella said.
The existing 70 km/h zone in Main Neerim Rd and 100 km/h zone between Princes Way and the Princes Fwy overpass will be replaced with 60 km/h and 80 km/h zones respectively.
The lower speed limit along Main Neerim Rd will reflect increased development and new subdivisions in the area, which have led to a rise in road users accessing this road.
“The need for the new 60km/h speed zone and 80km/h speed zone reflects the increased development and new subdivisions in the area that have led to a rise in road users accessing this road,” Mr Monacella said.
In Neerim South, the existing 80 km/h zone in Main Neerim Rd will be extended 650 metres at the southern end and 550 metres at the northern end.
At Neerim, the 80km/h zone at the northern end will be extended by 600 metres.
In Neerim Junction the 60 km/h zone at the southern end will be extended by 300m.
At Noojee, the 60 km/h zone at the eastern end of the town from the heritage centre will be extended by 750 metres along Mt Baw Baw Tourist Rd.
“VicRoads identified the need for some adjustments to be made to the existing speed limits on approaches to towns along Main Neerim Road and at Noojee, which involve marginally extending existing zones to better reflect the boundaries of these towns.
“Giving drivers enough time to slow to appropriate town speeds is very important in keeping both road users and communities safe.
“The review of speed zones, particularly in rural areas, is a significant action in Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan: Towards Zero 2016-2020.
“You are four times more likely to die on a rural Victorian road than on a metropolitan road, and that is unacceptable. Evidence shows that even small changes to travel speeds significantly increase the safety of all road users,” Mr Monacella said.
Community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the changed or amended speed zones - email VicRoads via TowardsZeroGippsland@roads.vic.gov.au or to write to VicRoads Eastern Region, PO Box 158, Traralgon 3844.