SYDNEY, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Speed limits on major roads in Australia's Victoria state have been slashed in order to protect deteriorating freeways.
VicRoads has considerably reduced the speed limits in dozens of locations across the state due to unsafe conditions, News Limited reported on Tuesday.
The decision has been slammed by motorists and councils who said the new limits were being introduced by the government to avoid fixing potholes.
Des Trotter, a bus driver who operates on regional school routes in western Victoria, said drivers and passengers were being put at risk.
"If we don't do anything, the roads will just crumble and how many 80 kilometer per hour (kmph) or 60 kmph zones can you have?" Trotter told News Limited.
"It is just very dangerous and maintenance on the vehicles is skyrocketing. (The road) is causing so much damage to our front end and our tyres."
Analysis revealed that drivers in the state's west were being worst affected.
The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, a roadside assistance company, called for a 900-million-U.S. dollar restoration package.
A spokesperson for VicRoads said weather had played a factor in the limit cuts.
"We always prioritise this work, however it is not possible to undertake more significant works during the wet winter months," she said.
"We undertake regular maintenance and road hazard inspections until more comprehensive works can be completed weather permitting."
Ryan Smith, a roads spokesperson for the Opposition, said funding had been cut.
"Country Victorians are sick and tired of driving on roads that are getting worse by the week," Smith said.
Victoria's Roads Minister Luke Donnellan denied the allegations of under-funding, saying the government had spent more than 200 million U.S. dollars on road maintenance since being elected in 2014.
