It was an election promise — and now one state has made good on its plans to scrap a controversial road rule that, as of today, has been abolished.
In New South Wales, drivers will no longer be required to slow down around construction sites or roadworks after hours.
That means those temporary speed limit reductions of 40 kilometres per hour — that are put in place to protect working crews — won’t apply if the site is no longer in use or if construction has ended for the day.
NSW Labor said the previous rule impacted motorists in the bush in particular, and took the rule change to the last election.
Now, as of July 1, it’s made good on the promise.
Drivers must still comply with signposted speed limits, but temporary roadwork speed limit signs are required to be removed outside work hours whenever it is safe.
The reform stems from a pre-election pledge following a parliamentary inquiry, which raised concerns about motorists being required to slow down at empty sites.
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the move is aimed at keeping “traffic moving”.
“[It will] help traffic keep moving, reduce frustration for motorists and make journeys across the state more efficient,” she told The Daily Telegraph.
“Motorists across NSW deserve to spend less time stuck in unnecessary traffic and more time with family and friends, which is why we have made this important change.
“Leaving speed restrictions in place outside of construction hours often slows down traffic movement.”
Aitchison said protecting construction workers remained “critical,” insisting that the new rules wouldn’t come at the cost of safety.
Drivers will no longer be required to slow down around construction sites or roadworks after hours.
(Adjie Rusli via Getty Images)What are some July 1 changes across Australia?
The new guidelines come as a raft of new laws is introduced across Australia today to mark the start of the new financial year.
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It’s a period when governments often roll out a range of changes, including new road rules, toll increases, and other legislative adjustments.
Nationally, today, major Medicare reform is coming for women, and so too is one of the “most significant changes” to superannuation, while supermarket price gouging rules will take effect.
In NSW, learner and provisional riders are required to wear high-visibility vests or jackets and approved protective gloves, aimed at making them more visible to other road users.
Road-related fines have also risen by 2.65 per cent in the state.
In Queensland, it’s also when the state will introduce tougher rules for e-bikes and personal mobility devices (PMDs).
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