Driver safety groups say they back a proposal to reduce speed limits on unsigned rural roads by up to 30 kilometres per hour (km/h). 

Public submissions closed on Monday 10 November for a report that could lead to reducing the default limit outside of built-up areas from 100km/h to as low as 70 km/h.

Opponents argue the proposal is excessive and will increase travel times, but Road Trauma Support Group co-founder Tom Daher says the current limit is unsafe.

"I struggle to see how 100 km/h an hour on a single-lane road, that is probably not up to the same standard as metropolitan roads, can be safe," Mr Daher said. 

"I know some people will get very annoyed at the speed limit being low, but think of it this way - would you rather have the risk of crashing or would you rather be a little bit late and slow down and arrive safer?"

There has been over 50 fatalities to car accidents in the Western Plains since 2020; 15 of those were around the Warrumbungle area and 11 around Narromine.

The proposed change would largely not affect main roads and highways since they tend to have clear speed signage.

It would generally apply to roads that are less busy and carry fewer vehicles on a daily basis.

The federal government has given options to cut the limit to 90, 80 or 70km/h on sealed roads and 80 or 70km/h on unsealed roads.

A government consultation paper models that reducing the speed to 70km/h could avoid 401 deaths on sealed roads and 123 on unsealed.

The paper also says that 85 per cent of road deaths outside major cities occur at or above 80km/h [IMAGE: SUPPLIED].

The proposal has drawn opposition from state and federal MPs, the Country Mayors Association and NSW Farmers, who say that safety efforts should focus on road repair over speed caps.

"If they fixed the roads, they wouldn't be having this drama," Coonamble truck driver Robert 'Octo' Thomas said.

"We ain't got time to be slowing down to 70km/h everywhere you go.

"Just drive to road conditions, that's all you've got to do."

Country Mayors Association Chairman Rick Firman says the data used by the government does not refer specifically to unsigned roads.

He says the proposal to reduce speeds “is beyond excessive and lacks genuine consideration for key concerns for those who actually drive the roads where default speed limits apply.”

Submissions will go towards the federal government's Regulatory Impact Analysis, which was agreed by all Australian governments under the 2021-2030 National Road Safety Strategy.

The strategy aims to at least halve the number of national road fatalities by the end of the decade.

However, that number has increased every year from 1097 in 2020 to 1292 in 2024, according to Australian government data.

"Speed is one of the main killers," Mr Daher said.

"If you crash, the chances of surviving are a lot higher if you're doing a lesser speed.

"You can't bring down the road toll unless you reduce that speed limit."