Tim Quilty's 'stupid' idea to allow speeding while overtaking slammed

The Wodonga-based MP spoke in a late-night sitting of Parliament on Thursday at about midnight to propose a change in law that would allow drivers to go over the speed limit when overtaking on a single-lane highway.

But he was not supported by fellow MPs, with Jeff Bourman from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers calling it "the most foolhardy, stupid thing I have ever seen".

Mr Quilty argued his proposal would make it legal for someone to speed on a country highway to overtake another vehicle that might be sitting on 95km/h, which would be safer than spending longer on the wrong side of the road at the limit.

"This practice is so common and so sensible that many Victorians already believe that you are allowed to speed while overtaking, because it would be ludicrous for it to be illegal," he said.

"Anyone who has spent their life on country highways will know the frustration of finding yourself stuck behind someone driving five kilometres per hour under the speed limit."

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Mr Bourman said the changes would also make it legal to travel at a speed like 290km/h past a truck or overtake a car going 39km/h in a 40km/h school zone.

The debate came as part of discussions about changes to the Road Safety Act, which will include tougher sentences for people who use a vehicle in offences such as murder or intentionally causing serious injury, and allow police to immediately suspend a person's licence if they are caught at a high speed.

In supporting the changes, Wangaratta-based MP Tania Maxwell said the increased penalties could help to reduce hit-and-run driving.

She will keep working with the government on possible further changes.

"Whilst I acknowledge the various technical challenges around making the testing as reliable as possible, I am also especially keen to see far more drug driving tests conducted and the power to undertake those tests widened in Victoria Police beyond just highway patrol officers," she said.