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Ask #2: Enable kids to be safe and independent by adopting 30km/h speeds for local residential streets and urban centres.
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Vision
The introduction of 30km/h zones and speed limits in urban areas, where people walking or people riding a bicycle and vehicles regularly share the same space, has been found to effectively reduce fatalities and injuries.
Barrier
Someone driving at speeds greater than 30km/h is significantly more likely to kill a person in a collision with people walking or riding a bicycle.
According to the NSW Centre for Road Safety, in a crash between a car and somebody walking, there is a 10 per cent risk that the person will be killed at 30 km/h, 40 per cent risk at 40 km/h, and a 90 per cent risk at 50 km/h.
Overall, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have concluded that an increase in the average speed of 1 km/h results in a 3% higher risk of a crash and a 4 to 5% increase in fatalities
According to the NSW Centre for Road Safety, in a crash between a car and somebody walking, there is a 10 per cent risk that the person will be killed at 30 km/h, 40 per cent risk at 40 km/h, and a 90 per cent risk at 50 km/h.
Overall, the World Health Organisation (WHO) have concluded that an increase in the average speed of 1 km/h results in a 3% higher risk of a crash and a 4 to 5% increase in fatalities
Action
Evidence from around the world shows that low speed streets reduce the risk of serious injuries and save lives. In Toronto, Canada, road crashes fell by 28% since speed limits were reduced from 40 to 30 km/h in 2015, which led to a reduction in serious and fatal injuries by two thirds.
In Colombia, Bogota has included 30km/h zones in a package of measures in its Speed Management Plan that have reduced traffic fatalities by 32%.
A study from London found that lower speed limits (in this case 20mph zones) were associated with a 42% reduction in road casualties. In contrast in Bristol the introduction of 20mph limits was associated with a 63% reduction in fatal injuries between 2008 and 2016. Restricting the city's speed limits to 20mph (30km/h) without extra traffic-calming measures and police patrols has reduced road deaths by almost a quartering in Edinburgh.
In Colombia, Bogota has included 30km/h zones in a package of measures in its Speed Management Plan that have reduced traffic fatalities by 32%.
A study from London found that lower speed limits (in this case 20mph zones) were associated with a 42% reduction in road casualties. In contrast in Bristol the introduction of 20mph limits was associated with a 63% reduction in fatal injuries between 2008 and 2016. Restricting the city's speed limits to 20mph (30km/h) without extra traffic-calming measures and police patrols has reduced road deaths by almost a quartering in Edinburgh.
Tools
NSW Government guidelines - link
