Two Speed Pacific Highway Limits Changed
Dec 8th 2011 - News South Wales - 
MOTORISTS on the Pacific Highway, south of Coffs Harbour, might from next week have to figure whether they are driving on a dry or a wet track, or face a speeding fine.
The situation arises from news the Roads and Maritime Services, formerly the RTA, will apply 'two-speed signage' on a problem section of the highway by next Tuesday due to a large number of wet weather crashes.
A temporary speed reduction to 80km/h is already in place between the Raleigh bypass from the Waterfall Way interchange to Perry's Hill.
If its dry, the section of the upgraded Bonville Bypass works will be 110km/h, but if rain has fallen an 80km/h speed zone will come into force, Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser explained.
Unsuspecting or unwilling motorists continued to break the 100km/h mark this week and police radar guns had them in their sights.
Countless drivers now face an anxious wait to see if they could possibly lose their licences should the appeals process not hold up in their favour.
On October 31, Mr Fraser announced the speed limit north of Urunga, one kilometre south of Short Cut Rd to the Lyons Rd interchange, had been changed from 100km/h to 110km/h.
Yet travelling to Sydney last week he hit the temporary 80km/h speed zone and said he figured it had been imposed due to road works.
"I have been aware there have been a number of accidents on certain parts of that section in wet weather conditions where vehicles have crashed into the wire barriers," Mr Fraser said.
"My representations to the traffic authority have since found that signage may be erected next week, which will see an 80km/h speed zone enforced in wet conditions and at all other times a 110km/h speed limit apply, that is until there is proper assessment of the road drainage problems.
"The main thing is that (the authority) would not ignore driver safety that's the primary concern.
"It's not about revenue raising at all," he said.
The lowered speed limit has applied so surveyors have been able to assess a drainage problem on the section between the Raleigh bypass from the Waterfall Way interchange to Perry's Hill.
The RMA has advised that following community feedback and reports of increased water on the road, the recent speed limit increase had been reviewed.
"A temporary speed limit of 80km/h is now in place on the Raleigh Bypass," a statement said.
"This temporary speed reduction is required to allow investigations into improving drainage to ensure maximum safety for all road users.
"Drainage improvement work is expected by mid 2012, " the authority said.
But Repton resident Ian Coe says his family faces a nervous wait wondering if a radar gun clocked them well over the limit.
Mr Coe says they weren't aware of the enforced speed reduction on Thursday while driving to a doctors' appointment in Urunga.
"It appeared it may have been blatant, opportunistic revenue raising . . . only recently the speed limit changed to 110km/h," Mr Coe said
"Travelling the highway since I've seen a temporary 80km/h sign saying there were road works underway, but I couldn't see any and realised we may have been fined," he said.
The good news for Mr Coe and other motorists is that if they are hit by potentially licence costing speeding fines - given the 30km/h speed difference - they do have a right of appeal.