The Huon Highway at Grove will see its speed limit drop by 20km/h in the coming days after a serious crash left a local teenager fighting for his life in an induced coma.
The 17-year-old was struck by a vehicle while crossing the highway near Mountain River Road last month, just moments after stepping off a school bus.
According to the Department of State Growth, the speed limit along the stretch of highway from the Mountain River Road intersection to Pages Road will be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h.
“A reduced speed limit will give drivers more time to react and avoid potential crashes, particularly when pedestrians are crossing the road,” the Commissioner for Transport said.
“It will also give pedestrians more time to safely cross the road. A lower speed limit along this section of road is expected to reduce the number and severity of crashes.”
“This is supported by a before-and-after analysis of other Tasmanian rural roads where reduced speed limits have decreased the number of crashes by around 40%.”
But a member of the Mountain River Intersection Action Group has told Pulse the speed limit change doesn’t go far enough to slow southbound traffic.
“The highest risk area is the hill slope where cars and trucks are moving at 100km/h,” they said.
“It’s not a sufficient short term safety measure as it doesn’t slow southbound traffic from travelling down the hill slope towards the intersection, which is the section of highest risk for pedestrians.”
The reduction marks the first step in what are planned to be sweeping safety improvements to the intersection, currently being fast-tracked by the state government.
“We are this week meeting with the Huon Valley Council, ahead of broader community consultation taking place, to finalise a preferred option for intersection upgrades,” Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said.
“The government is assessing several options to identify the most effective solution to improve safety at this location.”
