We know the truth - speed kills. Yet, when Transport for NSW reduced the speed limit on Jamberoo Road to 60 km/h, the backlash was immediate. Petitions emerged, outrage followed, and many asked, “Why should we slow down?” The real question is, why do we resist a safety measure that could save lives?

Eddie Woo discusses stopping distances and speed Watch the video here

Slowing down is hard. Our cars are built to do 200 km/h, our lives are busy, and we’re often distracted by work, kids, or endless errands. Driving takes concentration, and dropping from 80 to 60 km/h forces us to refocus. But every statistic shows it’s worth it, speed kills, and slowing down saves lives.

The Minns Labor Government’s new Smarter Highways program tackles this issue by combining lower speed limits with innovative technology. With a $5 million budget, the program trials technologies designed to change driver behaviour and reduce risks on regional roads.

Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environmental Systems (SHAVES) use solar-powered, adaptive signage to warn drivers about hazards like black ice or wildlife.

Permanent traffic counters provide real-time data on speeds and traffic volumes, improving responses to disruptions. Rural Intersection Activated Warning Systems (RIAWS) trigger variable speed limits when vehicles approach high-speed intersections, creating safer gaps for merging.

These innovations aren’t just about improving safety for drivers. They also protect road crews and emergency workers by reducing their exposure to live traffic through remote-controlled traffic management systems.

While the technology is exciting, it doesn’t replace driver responsibility. Slowing down might feel inconvenient, but it’s a small price to pay for saving lives. For Jamberoo Road, reducing speed adds less than two minutes to your journey - hardly a sacrifice when compared to the devastating consequences of an accident.

As trials for these smarter technologies roll out across NSW, they remind us that safety measures aren’t there to punish - they’re there to protect. Slowing down, listening to warnings, and driving carefully may take more effort, but they could make the difference between life and death.

The question is, are we ready to embrace these changes and prioritise safety over speed? The answer should be simple - because saving lives is always worth it.