The Australian government is considering lowering the default speed limit on country roads without signage from 100 km/h to as low as 70 km/h to reduce the national road toll.

This proposal is part of a national road safety initiative that suggests the move could prevent thousands of deaths and injuries, according to government modelling.

The move has drawn criticism from groups like the NRMA, the NSW Country Mayors Association and NSW Farmers.

NSW Farmers told a Senate inquiry yesterday that better roads, not slower trucks, are what’s needed to reduce the surging road toll in the regions.

Studies have shown farm workers are four times more likely to die on the nation’s roads than any other driver, with NSW’s local roads facing a $3.4 billion backlog in repairs. 

Serious investment in local road funding was long overdue, NSW Farmers’ Business Economics and Trade Committee Chair John Lowe said, with broader solutions to road repair still nowhere in sight. 

“Drivers have been forced to navigate dangerous potholes, uneven surfaces and other serious hazards on our roads for far too long, and we simply can’t continue with roads like this,” Mr Lowe said. 

“Serious and sustainable funding to fix our local roads, our truck rest stops, our overtaking lanes and our bridges is money well spent, because it could save lives.”

Efficient and connected rail networks were also urgently needed to reduce the pressure trucks were placing on the state’s roads, NSW Farmers said, with better driver education and expanded mobile coverage also key to improve road safety.

“Trucks are only adding to the wear and tear on our roads, and rail lines, in the right place, in the right condition, will really take the heat off,” Mr Lowe said. 

“Drivers also need to have the skills to drive to the conditions, and the ability to call for help when they need to, no matter where they are in the state.

“We’ve got a long road ahead to improve our road safety – but it’s only by addressing the root causes of the problem, that we can keep our regional communities safe.”