The water cooler chat this week has centred once again around speed limits, a polarising topic that divides regulators, communities and individuals. For every person with a seemingly valid argument to drop a road speed there is another with an equally valid argument not to. A big part of the reason for the angst is complexity. Everyone wants safer roads. We just can't agree on the best way to achieve this.
 
Road safety is a complex mix of factors, speed is just one component. Blanket speed reductions are a blunt instrument that without due consideration of the other critical contributors to road safety will not deliver the promised outcomes. Safe roads are well designed and maintained, and balance the needs of vehicles, pedestrians and the communities they serve. Effective use of advanced technologies, driver education, road design and law enforcement all need to come together seamlessly to contribute to positive outcomes.
 
Our roads are the workplace of our members. Safety is paramount to the freight industry. Consistency of regulation delivers a predictable driving environment that is easy to adhere to and administer. Consistency reduces the risk of driver confusion, stress and potential driving errors. This is why NRC supports central Government's wish to set and control national speed limits.
 
As we head into a much-needed period of investment in our roading infrastructure we need to take note of international examples. Many countries including the United States, Germany and Australia have dedicated freight routes, speed limit differentiation and wider freight lanes that are designed to improve traffic flow and accommodate the specific needs of heavy vehicles.
 
These solutions have been shown to not only reduce accident rates but deliver a whole host of other benefits, as with consistent speeds comes lower fuel consumption, more efficient vehicle operation which creates less noise and less road wear and tear, reducing maintenance costs.
 
As we move forward with the Roads of National and Regional Significance (RONs & RORs), we should be giving thought to how we can take international best practice and create roading infrastructure that will be boost both safety and productivity. 
 
If you're keen to hear a bit more about this topic, James spoke to Newstalk ZB's Tim Beveridge earlier this week, listen here.
 
Justin Tighe-Umbers, CEO, National Road Carriers Assn