Speed, or speeding, has been identified as a major factor in the occurrence and severity of road crashes. Studies overseas have revealed that speed is a factor in about 37 percent of fatal crashes, while in Australia investigations have estimated that speed was a contributing factor in about 30 percent of all fatal crashes. Further research has also revealed that a large proportion of these crashes occurred on residential streets. A major study that evaluated the introduction of the 50 km/h urban speed limit, in NSW, was recently concluded. The study, undertaken by ARRB TR for the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW, was the largest of its kind in Australia. The study, which lasted two years, found that major reductions in road crashes (23 percent) were achieved on residential streets, where the lower limit was introduced. The study also found that the proportion of motorists travelling at excessive speed also fell dramatically on streets re-zoned to 50 km/h. For example, the percentage of motorists travelling at greater than 60 km/h fell from 38 percent to 16 percent, after implementation of the 50 km/h speed limit. During the course of the study community attitudes were also monitored. The monitoring of attitudes revealed strong and growing support of the 50 km/h lower urban speed limit, that is, 68 percent support before the introduction, increasing to 75 percent following introduction. The knowledge gained from this major investigation, and experience gained overseas, provides a compelling case for the general introduction across Australia of a lower 50km/h speed limit. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E205914.
Samenvatting