In September last year, 18-year-old Jesse Brown died after allegedly street racing along Windang Road – at the southern end of the 80km/h zone.

This fatality was among a spate of accidents in a five-month period that prompted a study of Windang Road.

Some of those accidents occurred along the section of the road that carries an 80km/h speed limit.

While Roads and Maritime Services announced this week it was lowering the 70km/h speed limit to 60km/h, the 80km/h will stay in place.

In fact the 80km/h zone on the northbound side will be extended by 320 metres “to create a more consistent road environment”, according to a Roads and Maritime Services spokesman.

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The spokesman said the 80km/h speed limit along sections of the road was suitable.

“The speed zone review found a reduction was not recommended in the 80km/h section, based on the road environment which has three lanes in each direction and is separated by a median strip,” the spokesman said.  

The crash history of the 70km/h zone called for more urgent action, the spokesman said.

“The review also found a higher incident of injury crashes within the 70km/h section through Windang, compared to the 80km/h section north of Windang,” the RMS spokesman said.

“In the five years to 2016, there were a total of 52 crashes in the 70 km/h zone, compared to 38 in the 80 km/h zone.”

RMS will work with police to ensure speeds along Windang Road continue to be monitored.

Meanwhile, Wollongong MP Paul Scully supported the reduction in the speed limit through the Windang CBD.

He said it reflected concerns he had heard from residents in the area while carrying out a survey.

“Cutting the speed limit will help make Windang Road safer for both motorists and pedestrians,” Mr Scully said.