Reminder: Drive to Conditions on Unsealed Roads
Speed limits cannot be posted for unsealed (gravel) roads, as drivers need to drive to the conditions of the road, which can vary at different times of the day and from day to day.
The onus is on the driver to travel at a speed that is safe for the road surface, appropriate to their driving skills and suitable for the vehicle they are driving.
Cr Kirstie Schumacher addressed Council stressing the need for a safety message on roads with no speed signs, especially after recent rain events and the impact on driving conditions.
“Just because there’s no signed speed limit, it doesn’t mean open slather in driving at high speed on unsealed roads. That would be an invitation for tragic accidents on rural roads.”
Speed limits are set in accordance with strict guidelines, in partnership with the Department of Transport & Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service, so that speed limits throughout Queensland are consistent and realistic.
“4.3.3 Unsealed roads and roads with narrow seals. Speed limits, other than default built-up area, default outside built-up area or school zone speed limits (refer to Section 7.2.1) should not be applied to unsealed road or roads with narrow seals: that is, seals of insufficient width for two vehicles to pass without use of the shoulder or verge.” [Ref: Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices Part 4: Speed controls March 2022 DTMR, p.23]
The Deputy Mayor, Cr Jones, who has portfolio responsibility for roads commented, “While we cannot put up speed limit signs on these roads, we strongly advocate that drivers take care to drive to conditions on gravel roads throughout the South Burnett to avoid accidents”.
