This report presents the results of an evaluation of the default 50 kilometre per hour speed limits introduced in Western Australia on December 1, 2001. The study assessed the effects of the speed limit change in built-up areas on crash frequency, driver speed behaviour and community attitudes over the 24 month period following implementation of the program. Results of the metropolitan analysis showed a 20 per cent net reduction in all crashes, a 51 per cent net reduction for all crashes involving pedestrians, and a 19 per cent and 18 per cent net reduction for all crashes involving young and older drivers, respectively. Although no statistically significant results were obtained for fatal or serious injury crashes in any of the analyses, a statistically reliable net reduction of 21 per cent was obtained for all casualty crashes. Very few statistically significant results associated with the introduction of the program were obtained for the regional analyses. (Author/publisher)
Abstract