On 1 March 1999, Queensland introduced a 50 km/h local street speed limit in South East Queensland. This paper discusses the reasons for the introduction of a 50 km/h local street speed limit, the method of implementation involving education, enforcement and engineering components, the anticipated costs and benefits of introducing this initiative and preliminary results. The lower speed limit has been implemented and enforced for a number of months. Queensland Transport has gathered preliminary data which indicate that the new speed limit is having beneficial effects in terms of speed reductions and that there is increasing support for the new speed limit among South East Queensland residents. The paper notes the importance of the extensive consultation which was undertaken during the development and implementation of this initiative. A crucial factor to the successful implementation was the involvement and contribution of local governments. The implementation also involved the application of best practice approaches in the areas of education, engineering and enforcement. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E205827.
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