Bass Highway: 15 dead since 2001, government rejects speed cut
Fifteen people have died on a deadly stretch of Tasmania's Bass Highway since 2001. The government refuses calls to lower speed limits.
A stretch of the Bass Highway near Elizabeth Town has been the site of 26 fatal or serious injury crashes since 2001. Nine of those crashes killed 15 people and left 31 others seriously hurt.
The latest tragedy was a triple fatality on September 4 at Gannons Hill Road. Meander Valley mayor Wayne Johnston has repeatedly called for speed limits to be cut from 110kmh to 80kmh.
He wants this at the most dangerous intersections, where drivers exit overtaking lanes directly into farm entry roads. A road safety advocate says wire rope barriers could have reduced the crash's severity.
The Tasmanian government says it will wait for the coroner's investigation before considering changes.
- 15 people killed in 9 crashes
- Deaths since 2001
- 110kmh, sought reduction to 80kmh
- Current speed limit
Why it mattersSpeed reductions could prevent more deaths on a deadly stretch of road. Waiting delays action on a proven hazard.
AustraliaTasmanian drivers face ongoing risk on a highway the government has not made safer despite 25 years of fatal crashes and repeated warnings from local leaders.
Corroborated bytheadvocate.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 5 d ago
