REDUCED SPEED LIMITS will soon be introduced at level crossings on all Victorian sealed roads with 100km/h limits, as part of the State Government’s response to the Kerang rail accident in 2007.

The Victorian Government has announced it will reduce existing 100km/h speed limits at level crossings to 80km/h, on sealed roads only, while gravel roads will maintain their existing speed limits.

“VicRoads will ensure that speed limits of no more than 80km/h are introduced at all level crossings on sealed roads in regional Victoria,” the Government report said.

“Only sealed roads will be treated because research indicates that, on unsealed roads, vehicle speeds are usually below 80km/h and a 80km/h speed sign would tend to encourage motorists to increase their speed.”

The Government is also considering installing safety cameras at crossings, to deter and catch drivers swerving around the lowered boom gates, and a trial installation will be run on the Midland Highway near Bendigo from July.

The announcement marks an expansion of a previous move to reduce speed limits at level crossings to 80km/h at 75 highway crossings across Victoria.

No date has been set for the changes to take place, however the Government is working on a schedule for the reduced limits to be implemented at the affected sites among Victoria’s 1,872 level crossings.