NT extends open speed limits

The travel time for motorists driving on a section of the Stuart Highway north of Alice Springs (NT) will now be that much shorter, with the Northern Territory Government removing the speed limit on a further 60km of the route.

The move sees the Open Speed Zone expanded to a total of 336km from north of Alice Springs to the Ali Curung rail overpass. A 130km/h limit remains in place for most other major, sealed NT outback highways.

Heavy vehicles are not affected by the change and will continue to observe the national maximum limit of 100km/h.

The Northern Territory maintained an open speed limit for much of its highways until a maximum limit of 130km/h was introduced in 2007. However, in early 2014 the speed limit was abolished by the NT Government on a 200km section of the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Barrow Creek.

Initially introduced as a trial, the removal of the speed limit was upheld after the measure was found to have little to no impact on the number of road accidents, while appreciably shortening travel times.

The Territory's Country Liberals Government has said it wants the Open Speed Zone to expand even further north through to Tennant Creek and Katherine, with the Barkly Highway to be examined after NT's next election in late August.

"We're committed to giving responsibility back to you," states NT Chief Minister Adam Giles on his Facebook page.

"Territorians have always acted sensibly in open speed limit zones, with 85 per cent of drivers travelling between 133-139km/h, and most driving to the conditions.

"Of the 11 crashes that occurred during the 2014 year-long trial period on stretches of the Stuart Highway, there were no fatalities. And of the one serious injury reported, alcohol and not wearing a seatbelt were factors," Giles wrote.

Giles said the NT's Labor Party would bring back the limit should it win the looming local election in late August.

"Make no mistake – the Opposition will remove open speed limits," he said.

"You will lose under Labor. The Territory has a unique road network, and we'll continue to expand, upgrade, and take an evidence-based approach to speed limits on our major highways."

Should the Country Liberals Party be re-elected, it has said it will also fund a lifting of the speed limit on a 75km section between Mataranka and Larrimah and a 47km section between Daly Waters and Dunmurra, before turning its attention to other outback arterials.