The Tweed Shire Council will introduce new safety measures in Murwillumbah’s main thoroughfare.
This follows reports from local residents and a significant increase in traffic incidents since 2023.
The Manager of Roads and Stormwater Danny Rose said the Council is committed to improving road safety in Murwillumbah, with a number of options being investigated to improve higher risk sections along Byangum Road.
‘We are introducing new measures to improve road safety, including installing high-friction surface at the Harwood Street and Byangum Road intersection to enhance traction and reduce crashes caused by vehicles losing control,’ Rose said.
‘We will also be installing “smiley face” signs along the road to remind drivers of their speed.
‘Council’s traffic team is actively supporting local police to enforce speed limits and raise awareness.’
The Tweed Shire Council follows a ‘safe system’ approach to road safety, which aims to minimise crashes and their severity through safer road design, safer speeds, safer vehicles, and safer people.
Speeding as a key factor
Over the past five years, 12 crashes have been reported along Byangum Road. The majority of crashes identified speeding as a key contributing factor.
Speed monitoring along the thoroughfare confirms a large number of vehicles are travelling at least 10km/hr above the 50km/h speed limit.
The data also showed that most crashes involved single vehicles or collisions with objects or parked cars.
Fridays and Sundays had the highest number of crashes (three each), followed by Saturdays (two crashes).
These statistics highlight the need to slow down and stay alert, particularly on weekends when crash rates are highest.
NSW Police’s Senior Sergeant Chad George confirmed police will be patrolling the area to deter poor road user behaviour, with the aim of preventing people being injured on our roads.
‘We will be working closely with Tweed Shire Council to help keep our community safe,’ Senior Sergeant George said.
Drivers are urged to follow speed limits, and be aware of changing road and traffic conditions. The Council reminds residents to report unsafe driving to the police and drive responsibly.
Speed cameras
Transport for NSW is the authority for speed zones and speed cameras. The community is encouraged to suggest locations for speed cameras to help reduce speeding.
Suggestions can be submitted online at Transport for NSW’s website.
For more information on speed zones visit the Transport for NSW website or report any road hazards to Council online.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
