A PETITION calling for a speed limit reduction along a stretch of Redbanks Road at Gawler Belt has been presented to Light Regional Council (LRC).

Started by councillor Sam Mitchell, it proposes decreasing the speed limit from 100km/h to 80km/h along a 2.5km stretch of the road, between the existing 80km/h sign upon entry to Gawler and just past the bend near the Nottle Road intersection.

The petition has 160 signatures, is addressed to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and was tabled at last night’s LRC September ordinary meeting.

The council had already resolved to contact DIT regarding lowering the speed limit at its Infrastructure Committee meeting in August.

Ms Mitchell said the reduced speed would equate to a 20-second increase in travel time and was “reasonable” for motorists.

“If you need to reduce your speed at the corner because you’re towing, it (lowering the speed limit) limits the amount of people who will stop right behind you,” she said.

“I think an increase in drive time of 20 seconds is a small price to pay to ensure other road users are safe.

“Council is wholly supportive of representing the views of our local community, even though it’s not our road, we’re making representations on behalf of the Gawler Belt community.”

In June, the bend near Nottle Road was the site of a crash where a driver lost control and hit a group of trees on a wet day.

The accident then caused two other cars to swerve to avoid the accident, which saw them collide.

Gawler Belt resident Alan Moulds supported the petition, saying driver behaviour had become increasingly reckless along Redbanks Road.

“If you’re coming down here towing a horse float, you have to slow right down to turn and you can’t see 100 yards in front of you,” he said.

“Sometimes, if you’re coming from Gawler and you slow down to turn, drivers will go ahead and try to overtake, which is illegal.”