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EFFECT OF INCREASING THE SPEED LIMIT AND ASSOCIATED PENALTIES FOR HEAVY VEHICLES ON THE EYRE HIGHWAY

The speed limit for heavy vehicles travelling on the Eyre Highway in Western Australia was raised from 80 to 90 kilometres per hour on February 1, 1983. In an effort to achieve greater compliance with the speed limit, traffic fines and demerit point penalties were substantially increased at the same time for drivers of heavy vehicles apprehended for exceeding the speed limit. Twenty-four hour unobtrusive observations of traffic speeds on the Eyre Highway had been recorded 9 months prior to the change in legislation and were similarly recorded 6 and 8 months after the change. The proportion of semi-trailers (heavy vehicles) exceeding 90 kilometres per hour decreased from 80% to 73% and 67%. The proportion of semi-trailers travelling over 110 kilometres per hour fell from 21% to 7% and 13%. The mean and 85th percentile speeds were less in both after periods. Night-time semi-trailer speeds in the before period were much higher than daytime speeds. The decrease in semi-trailer speeds in the two after periods was mainly during night-time hours. The open speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour for cars and motorcycles remained unchanged and little change was observed in vehicle speeds in the before and after periods. The results of the study suggest that the proportion of semi-trailers travelling at high speeds on the Eyre Highway is less following the changes in legislation. It is suggested that the current speed limit for heavy vehicles on the Eyre Highway remain at 90 kilometres per hour provided that the increased penalties remain for transgression of this limit.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Western Australia Police Department

    Traffic Licensing & Services Centre, 22 Mount Street
    Perth, Western Australia,   Australia 
  • Authors:
    • Maisey, G E
  • Publication Date: 1983-12

Media Info

  • Features: Appendices; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 18 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00399040
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: No. 83/1 Res Rpt., HS-038 243
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
  • Created Date: Aug 31 1985 12:00AM