Stanhope: 40km/h zones around shops and community facilities?

[Buzz Killington]

Released 24/11/2009         

Chief Minister and Minister for Transport, Jon Stanhope, is urging Canberrans to have their say on whether speeds limits around busyretail and commercial precincts should be reduced to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Canberrans have until Friday 18 December 2009 to provide feedback on whether the 40 km/h speed limit, which currently applies in school zones, should be expanded to other areas of the ACT such as shopping centres and community facilities.

The proposal is in line with the Government's commitment to improve road safety in the ACT and its moves towards a stronger Vision Zero philosophy.

Mr Stanhope said an independent review, commissioned by the Government, had confirmed a 40 km/h speed limit could improve the safety of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists in areas of "high activity".
"The ACT Government is exploring whether to expand the 40 km/h speed limit to targeted areas where there are significant numbers of pedestrians and cyclists," Mr Stanhope said. "We are inviting Canberrans to have their say on whether they believe a 40 km/h speed limit would be appropriate for their neighbourhood shopping centre or town centre.

"Even small reductions in speed limits can significantly improve the likelihood of a pedestrian or cyclist surviving a crash. The risk of death to a pedestrian or cyclist struck at 60 km/h is greater than 90per cent compared to 30 per cent at a collision speed of 40 km/h.

"The Government is yet to decide where the reduced speed limit could apply in the ACT.
"Further consultation will be undertaken with locals and traders if the proposal is supported by the community."

Canberrans can provide feedback by completing a questionnaire available online at http://www.tams.act.gov.au/, or in hard copy at Canberra Connect shopfronts and public libraries.
An independent report by ARRB Group, which includes draft guidelines on how reduced speed limits could apply in the ACT, is available from http://www.tams.act.gov.au/.

[Barry Drive]

"Even small reductions in speed limits can significantly improve the likelihood of a pedestrian or cyclist surviving a crash. The risk of death to a pedestrian or cyclist struck at 60 km/h is greater than 90per cent compared to 30 per cent at a collision speed of 40 km/h.

(A) A lower speed limit is only useful if it is actually obeyed and/or enforced.

(B) Why not put some money into educating pedestrians and cyclists on how to avoid being hit by motor vehicles? Shouldn't be hard.

[Irisbus Rider]

(B) Why not put some money into educating pedestrians and cyclists on how to avoid being hit by motor vehicles? Shouldn't be hard.

Ha ha, exactly!

In places like busy George St in the Sydney CBD, people learn that very quickly.
It still amazes me when people just step out onto the road in the City bus interchange, expecting the traffic to come to a halt for them.