Opinion: Why it’s time to raise the speed limit in Australia to 130km/h

Australia, we need to have a conversation about raising the speed limit to 130km/h on our nation’s freeways and motorways.

This wide brown land of ours is becoming more connected than ever before, with the main highways between the capital cities receiving major upgrades in the name of safety and convenience.

As someone in the unique position of living in Brisbane but with family back in Canberra and everywhere in between, I’ve spent a lot of time on the Pacific Highway, and I can tell you one thing – a 110km/h speed limit simply isn’t fast enough.

Before anyone kicks off in the comments section about the disparity of speed between some cars and trucks on the road, I want to make it clear this opinion is only based on maximum speeds – driving to the conditions is, and always will be, the number one priority.

But anyone who has driven between the southern parts of the Gold Coast to the outskirts of Newcastle can attest the reasonably well-maintained M1 is crying out for a 130km/h speed limit.

Raising the limit from 110km/h to 130km/h might only seem like an increase of 18 per cent, but if you spend all day behind the wheel, it can be the difference between making it to your destination well-rested or having a lapse in judgement due to fatigue.

While we’ve been conditioned into thinking speed kills, out of the 1189 people killed on Australian roads last year, 152 of those fatalities occurred in places where the posted speed limit was 110km/h or higher (the speed limit is 130km/h on some sections of the Sturt Highway in the Northern Territory).

By comparison, 370 deaths happened in 100km/h zones, 319 in 60-70km/h zones and 195 occurred in posted speed limit sections of 80-90km/h.

Let’s also not forget that two-thirds of the nation’s road toll in 2022 was due to fatal crashes on regional roads, mostly country highways with poor lighting, potholes and other hazards.

It’s also worth considering the average registered car in Australia was built about 10 years ago, and is likely to be fitted with relatively modern safety technology.

Don’t discount the fact that many of these cars – plus many built prior – were also built to drive on highways in other countries with higher speed limits than Australia, and can keep up with a 130km/h speed limit with relative ease.

Now, it’s time to address a couple of elephants in the room as to why something like this may not happen.

Firstly, Australia’s driving standards.

I haven’t driven overseas but all the European expats who come over here tell me how shocking Aussie drivers are, mainly citing a complete lack of observation and lane discipline.

We simply lack the observational skills or self-awareness to cope at 110km/h let alone at 130km/h.

Anyone who has driven on Europe’s extensive network of motorways where the posted speed limit is generally 130km/h will know just how well-disciplined European drivers are, especially when it comes to correct lane usage.

The second point is the closing speed difference a 130km/h limit would create, not only with trucks and buses but the learner and provisional drivers in some states and territories who remain subject to the state’s archaic laws which limits their top speed to 90-100km/h depending on the state they’re in.

To my mind, this limitation on our young drivers is downright dangerous. What exactly do your youngest and most vulnerable drivers learn by being subjected to a lower speed limit, other than how to be a mobile chicane and obstruction to other drivers?

And yet, I think it’s time our state governments started to look at increasing the speed limit if they want to be serious about curbing fatigue through reduced travel times.

I won’t be holding my breath though. It’s 10 years since a well-known Australian magazine ran a “Raise the Limit, Lower the Toll” campaign – which saw British motoring journalist Ben Oliver come Down Under to drive at 130km/h between Melbourne and Sydney.

The part publicity stunt, part safety campaign had government road safety authorities up in arms, though law enforcement authorities were also left with egg on their faces after Oliver managed to dodge speeding tickets throughout the circa-770km journey.

Despite the uproar and attention drawn to the campaign, we remain stuck with 110km/h speed limits.

What do you think? Can we be trusted with a higher speed limit of 130km/h? Let us know in the comments below.