The Northern Territory government has announced it will return to unlimited highway speeds, but only as part of a one-year trial on a 200km section of the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Barrow Creek from next February.
The move follows a complete lack of speed-related fatalities on this stretch of road for nearly a decade, despite the previous Labor government's abolishment of open speed limits in 2007, when it introduced a maximum limit of 130km/h.
The move by the Northern Territory Government has been criticised by some quarters, as it means motorists can travel at unlimited speeds.
The Northern Territory Minister for Transport, Peter Styles, says the one-year trial delivers on its election promise to evaluate open speed limits on the Stuart Highway, and will be a way for Territorians to travel more swiftly.
"In the ten years between 2001-2011 there wasn't any speed related fatalities on this stretch of road. We are bringing responsibility back to motorists – they need to be able to drive to the road conditions and their capabilities," said Styles.
"Open speed limits mean driving to the road conditions - everyone should drive within their own capabilities, the condition of the road, prevailing weather conditions and the standard of their vehicle," he cautioned.
The NT Transport Minister noted that learner and provisional drivers and heavy vehicles will still be speed limited.
However not everyone is happy with the one-year trial.
Harold Scruby, chairman of the Pedestrian Council of Australia, told the ABC that the NT government will have "blood on its hands".
"We are going to be calling on the Federal Government to step in and do what they did on euthanasia," Scruby said.
"Mark my words, you are going to invite every hoon in Australia to come up there and test their cars on this road."
"Should the rest of Australia pay for this trauma?" questioned Scruby.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Don't forget to register to comment on this article.