The speed limit on a busy highway in Launceston’s northern suburbs has dropped from 70km/h to 60km/h this week.
The West Tamar Highway runs through Riverside and Trevallyn and has a high crash history, according to the Department of State Growth.
The speed limit was on Monday lowered on a 4.3km stretch of the highway between Cormiston Road in Riverside and Deans Lane in Trevallyn.
The department says the new speed limit will add around 37 seconds to current travel times.
“Research shows that even small reductions in operating speeds can result in considerable safety benefits,” a spokesperson said.
“The road also runs through a heavily built-up residential area which contains many driveways and narrow kerbside parking lanes, as well as shops, schools and a service station.”
The speed limit adjustment is part of the department’s West Tamar Highway Corridor Improvement Plan and follows requests from members of the local community.
