Leader of the Nationals WA and Member for Moore Shane Love has today launched a petition calling on Main Roads Western Australia to address road safety concerns raised by residents of Leeman.
Mr Love, who is also the Shadow Minister for Transport, has backed calls to reduce the speed limit on Indian Ocean Drive to 60km/h when travelling through Leeman, saying the absence of slip lanes is creating dangerous conditions for motorists entering and exiting Indian Ocean Drive.
“The people of Leeman are petitioning the Cook Labor Government to increase safety on Indian Ocean Drive by reducing the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h,” Mr Love said.
“140 West Australians have already lost their lives on our roads this year, including 68 people on regional roads. With the holiday period right around the corner, safety should be priority number one.
“This section of Indian Ocean Drive faces numerous challenges, including the absence of slip lanes and instances of vehicles illegally pulling out over double white lines. Until slip lanes are installed, there is a dire need to reduce the speed in the Leeman townsite.
“A speed reduction is a fast and straightforward option for the 1,500 vehicles that travel this section of Indian Ocean Drive everyday.”
Mr Love is encouraging locals to sign his petition which calls on the Cook Labor Government to reduce the speed limit.
“Reducing speed saves lives. All the community is asking is for the Cook Labor Government to reduce speed in a similar way to speeds into Jurien Bay which drop from 110k/h to 90, 70, 60 and 50.
“I urge the Cook Labor Government to heed the warnings of Leeman locals who experience the ‘near misses’ everyday as they simply try to drive into town to grab fuel, groceries and access the shire depot or the industrial area.”
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Indian Ocean Drive is a primary distributor route and is considered a scenic coastal road and one of WA’s principal tourist routes.
The petition will be available at the Leeman CRC for signing.
