A HORROR crash along the Riddoch Highway has sparked renewed calls for an inquiry into the Coonawarra strip’s speed limit.
The latest call for a review follows a high-speed crash on March 19 when a 21-year-old Mount Gambier woman crashed her 4WD into the rear of a semi-trailer which had slowed to turn off the notorious stretch of road.
With the Coonawarra section busy throughout the year, even more so during vintage and pruning, some proposals include cutting the speed limit by as much as 30kph.
Coonawarra Vignerons president Pete Balnaves said the speed limit along the stretch of road has long been debated, but with the bypass expected to be completed by the end of the next financial year, he does not believe it will be changed.
“We originally thought the bypass would go around the whole of Coonawarra, which meant the limit could hopefully be dropped,” he said.
“But with the bypass merging back onto the highway where it will, I do not believe we will see a decrease in speed.
“Traffic along the strip is a concern, especially during vintage time.
“I think road safety is the number one thing to be concerned about on our highways so with the bypass everything must be investigated fully to ensure motorists are safe.
“There are signs during vintage warning motorists of heavy machinery on the roads, but I we are busy all year round so at the least I think we need warnings all the time.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) said it was committed to undertaking a speed limit review for this section of road.
“This review involves a number of sections within DPTI, including the Southern Region who can provide local detail and advice similar to what has been highlighted regarding the vintage season and other impacts,” the spokesperson said.
“The review will be completed this financial year
“Once the review has been finalised, we will be able to advise on any recommended actions.”
Limestone Coast Police Inspector Campbell Hill said distraction was one of the fatal five causes of road trauma on South Australian roads.
“Driving is a complex task that requires the coordination of a wide range of skills,” he said.
“Mobile phones are often the most widely considered forms of driver distraction, research shows that drivers are four times as likely to be involved in a crash when using a mobile phone.”
Insp Hill said the most common types of crashes associated with mobile usage are ‘run-off-the-road’ and ‘rear end’ crashes.
Research shows that dialling, texting and talking on a mobile phone whilst driving can lead to riskier decision making, with attention taken away from the road, reduction in a driver’s ability to judge distances, speed, space and environmental conditions and lane departure.
Insp HIll said other forms of distraction can impact a drivers ability to concentrate including carrying noisy or disruptive passengers, driving when stressed, preoccupied or fatigued, eating whilst driving or any other activity that diverts a drivers attention from the task of safely operating a vehicle.
“The overall appeal I would make to drivers is to take responsibility for their safety and the safety of other road users,” Insp Hill said.
“A call, text, post or hashtag are not worth the risk of losing your life, taking the life of another or causing serious injury.
“SAPOL remain committed to enforcing road laws on a day-to-day basis and through targeted operations such as Operation Distraction.”
