Drivers will soon be forced to slow down on a section of the East Derwent Highway as a new speed limit is enforced from next week.
The current 70km/h limit between the Tasman Bridge and Geilston Bay will be dropped to 60km/h, adding an extra 33 seconds to travel times.
The Commissioner for Transport says the change will have minimal impact as many people “are already driving slower” than the current limit.
“A review of the speed limit found curves and crests on this section of the highway were not consistent with a 70km/h speed limit,” the Commissioner said.
“In addition, the road runs through a heavily built-up residential area with a high number of residential driveways, narrow kerbside parking lanes, and shops, service stations and schools.”
The impacted section of the highway also has a “substantial crash history”, with many nose-to-tail type crashes reported.
The 60km/h speed limit will be put in place once new speed limit signs have been installed.
