A number of residents and businesses have let me know how slow drivers between Bellingen and the highway to Coffs are negatively affecting their lives, work and business.
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It is illegal to drive 80kph in a 100kmh zone impeding traffic, as explained here: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/bundaberg/2015/03/31/myth-buster-80-highway/
Personally as a driver, I had to drop my children to the high school and then get to work in time in Coffs, and often forced to overtake more than one car in a row, in order to avoid a performance reminder at work for being late, due to drivers driving 70kph–80kph in a 100kph zone.
It is very disrespectful to drive at 80kph in a 100kph zone. I have heard many elderly residents say due to the 70kph zone in Fernmount then the 80kph zone closer to Shortcut Road, they just set their cruise control on 80kph the whole way, and it doesn't bother them if they have five cars behind them as they are retired.
Some of us have to plan our days to the minute to get kids to school, and then get to work on time! I think in a shire with 'zero overtaking lanes', the issue of drivers doing the correct speed limit should be addressed to avoid unsafe overtaking so that employees can get to work on time, and businesses are not affected by late clients and deliveries.
Richard Smith
Bellingen
Editor’s Note
The draft Waterfall Way Corridor Strategy classifies Waterfall Way as a Class II two-lane highway, explaining the difference between Class I and Class II in the following terms:
“Class I two-lane highways are generally major intercity routes, primary arterials, daily commuter routes or primary links in state or national highway networks. There is an expectation from motorists to travel at relatively high speeds. These facilities often serve long-distance trips or provide connecting links between facilities that serve long-distance trips.”
“Class II two lane-highways are generally those that function as access routes to Class I facilities, serve as scenic or recreational routes (except primary arterials), or pass through rugged terrain. Motorists do not necessarily expect to travel at high speeds. These facilities often serve relatively short trips, the beginning and ending of longer trips, or trips for which sightseeing plays a significant role.”
