Flouting Road Law

Newcastle Herald

Saturday February 2, 2008

By BEN SMEE

A MAJORITY of motorists are speeding through Aberdeen, with some completely ignoring speed restrictions along parts of the New England Highway.

Residents are demanding action to slow the traffic after a survey by Upper Hunter Shire Council showed more than 60 per cent of motorists sped through a 50 kmh zone on the highway.

Even more alarming to residents was that some motorists completely ignored the speed restrictions as the highway passed through residential and commercial areas.

One vehicle was recorded travelling at 121.8 kmh and 28 cars were clocked at speeds 30 kmh in excess of the limit.

Upper Hunter council business development manager Sean Constable said the dangerous stretch of road was a longstanding concern for Aberdeen residents.

"The town has been saying it for a long time, that something needs to be done, but we haven't had the data to back that up," Mr Constable said.

Aberdeen Progress Association is hoping to use the figures from the traffic survey to lobby the Roads and Traffic Authority for safety measures.

More than 40,000 vehicles had their speed recorded travelling through the 50 kmh section of the highway over a week in September.

The results showed:

? 61.61 per cent of cars were speeding in the 50 kmh zone.

? 174 cars exceeded the limit by more than 20 kmh.

? 28 cars were recorded travelling at more than 30 kmh in excess of the speed limit.

? 10 cars were caught travelling in excess of 100 kmh.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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