60k limit stays for speed crackdown

The 60km/h speed limit on Woy Woy Rd will stay as police, the RTA and Gosford Council launch a year-long campaign to reduce speed on Council roads.

Woy Woy Rd and Patonga Dr have been identified by Brisbane Water Police as possible targets for the campaign.

Senior constable Dave O'Shea said Brisbane Water Police were involved in the campaign by providing council with a priority list of streets in the local area command that were potential crash sites and attracted speeding drivers.

"Woy Woy Rd was listed as one of the main priorities in the campaign," O'Shea said.

"Among others to be identified was Patonga Dr.

"These local roads will be the first to be targeted as the campaign kicks off.

"Drivers need to be vigilant that excess speeding will not be tolerated and police will be there to enforce this while council and the RTA will be there to educate drivers."

Council's director of engineering services Mr John Cragg said the joint involvement of police, council and the RTA in the campaign would ensure a positive result for all parties.

"We are looking to develop projects to change driver behaviour and combat excess speeding on local roads," Mr Cragg said.

"Council's community road safety officers have been in consultation with police from Brisbane Water Local Area Command to target specific locations in this campaign," Mr Cragg said.

"Woy Woy Rd just south of Kariong will be one of the first roads to be targeted and will involve installing flashing road signs reading 'Crash Zone' on the first flash and 'Slow Down' on the second flash.

"This has been identified as a risky area for potential crash sites and the 60 km/h speed limit along this section of Woy Woy Rd will continue to be enforced to ensure the safety of drivers.

"The sign is expected to be installed in the coming weeks and we will monitor the traffic flow and speed of vehicles to see if it has had an impact on driver behaviour.

"The focus for the campaign will be on re-educating drivers' behaviour and prevent accidents before they occur."

Mr Cragg said as the campaign grew he expected more roads on the Peninsula to be targeted in the campaign.

The campaign is part of a joint initiative between Gosford and Wyong councils, the RTA as well as Tuggerah Lakes and Brisbane Water Police after it was revealed almost a third of accidents on the Central Coast occur off main state roads.

Clare Graham, 30 Sep 2009 Interviewees: John Cragg, Gosford Council Dave O'Shea, Brisbane Water Police