The Victorian government has a problem. 18 people have died in non-boom gated level crossing accidents across the state in the last ten months — with 25 deaths in the past four years — and the recent introduction of rumble strips, driver education campaigns, and other non-boom gate measures have done nothing to stop the carnage. It’s looking more and more likely as time goes on that Premier John Brumby and transport minister Lynne Kosky are going to have to bite the bullet and — gasp! — spend some serious money on boom gates to save some lives.

But that’s not how Brumby and Kosky roll.

The Victorian Government will slash speed limits at more than 70 level crossings across the state after a spate of fatal smashes.

Speed limits will be cut from 100km/h to 80km/h at 72 level crossings across Victoria by the end of the year, Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said today.

I’m tellin’ ya, this government brings new meaning to the phrase “tinkering around the edges”. Firstly, cutting speeds by 20kph around rural level crossings is going to do nothing to stop drivers taking the risks that often contribute to these accidents. Secondly, cutting speeds by 20kph around rural level crossings is going to do nothing to stop drivers’ concentration lapsing as it often has in these accidents. Thirdly, how is the government planning to enforce these speed limits at 72 remote sites across the state?

As much as I hate to say it, it seems that the Victorian Labor Party has put a price on human life and they’re not prepared to pay it.