Speed limit ‘disaster’ under investigation

AN investigation into the notorious new 40kmph speed limit on Nepean Highway in Frankston is underway.

The speed limit at the intersection was reduced from 60 kmph to 40 kmph in October last year. Since then multiple motorists have contacted The Times to complain about being fined, with one estimating that thousands of people had been caught by the speed camera at the intersection of Nepean Highway and Davey Street.

In late July, Victorian road safety camera commissioner Neville Taylor initiated an investigation into how the new speed limit was established. An end date for the investigation was not announced.

A statement from the road safety camera commissioner read that the investigation is seeking to “understand the decisions and processes that were made when implementing the speed limit reduction to 40 km/h along the Nepean Highway that led to speeding infringements being issued to road users”.

“The commissioner will seek relevant information and documents from members of the road safety partnership, Frankston City Council, and other stakeholders as part of the investigation.  This investigation will explore several avenues of interest and will report any recommendations back to the minister.  This may include recommendations regarding the speeding infringements issued,” the statement read. “It is envisaged that the commissioner will finalise the investigation as soon as practicable, after thoroughly considering all information received, and will communicate any recommendations made on [the road safety commissioner’s] website.”

The Times contacted the office of the road safety camera commissioner to ask for an update on the investigation. It did not respond by publication deadline.

Earlier this year, Frankston Council pointed the finger at the Department of Transport for the speed limit change.

“In this particular situation, the Nepean Highway is a state controlled DOT road and the introduction of the 40km zone is part of a state-wide DOT initiative to improve the safety of shopping strips. Frankston City Council welcomes the lowered speed zone introduced on this section of Nepean Highway in late 2021 recognising how busy it is with cars and pedestrians associated with the retail and restaurant activity, and for those walking to the waterfront and for commuters,” Frankston Council CEO Phil Cantillon said (“Resident road rage over reduced speed limit” The Times 5/7/22).

Motorists hit by fines at the intersection recently met to discuss courses of action. Retired civil engineer Ian Robins said “if VicRoads or Council had spent just $5,000 on a post-installation independent road safety audit it would have highlighted the many problems in the planning, approval, installation and monitoring phases. The project which is now seen to be a disaster for Frankston could have been a success.”

A VicRoads document released in June last year read that making outdoor dining safer was one of the key reasons for changing the speed limit.

First published in the Frankston Times – 20 September 2022