Calls for motorists to slow down on Wagin’s main street after shocking results of speed monitoring survey

Motorists have been urged to slow down on Wagin’s main street after a local study revealed just how many vehicles were breaking the speed limit. A speed monitoring survey conducted by the Shire of Wagin found half of all vehicles entering the 40km/h zone on Tudhoe Street from the western side were breaking the speed limit. A fifth of vehicles entering from the eastern side were committing the same offence. The results have prompted the council and local police to issue a warning to motorists. The Shire originally conducted the survey to determine whether it was necessary to install digital speed warning signs on Wagin’s main street. Shire chief executive officer Bill Atkinson said he was both surprised and concerned by the outcome. “There is a massive amount of truck movement along the main street,” he said. “You have all this grain that is being dragged down to Bunbury port one way, then you have other trucks backloaded with lime sand and fertiliser, which puts a significant count on the number of vehicles going through the area.” While there was a mix of light and heavy vehicles speeding, Mr Atkinson said the survey found a “large number” of trucks were breaking the limit. In some instances, vehicles which were recorded driving at more than 100km/h. He pleaded with motorists to obey the posted speed limits. “It is quite a congested area, it is a narrow street with heavy traffic and quite a few major intersections,” Mr Atkinson said. “If people continue to contravene the rules, there will obviously be consequences for those individuals.” The council has shared the results of the survey with Wagin police. Sergeant Simon Bickers said they were assessing the council’s findings. “(We) will be taking an active role in addressing this issue,” he said. “I have a very low tolerance for drivers deliberately flouting our laws and putting people’s lives at risk.”