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Crashes and speeds in urban areas have decreased since the introduction of the 50km/h urban speed limit says Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor. |
Safer Streets in Lachlan, Forbes and Parkes Shires
Parkes, Forbes and
Comparing the crash statistics pre 50km/h (1998/9), the year it was voluntarily adopted by Council (200/1) and then again two years after the state-wide blanket introduction on November 1st 2003 (2003/4) it has been found that crashes in urban areas have decreased.
In Forbes Shire a 56% decrease in the overall number of crashes in town and a 40% decrease in casualty crashes have been recorded. In Lachlan Shire a 28% drop in the number of crashes in town has occurred. While in Parkes Shire crashes are down 13%.
Speed surveys of various streets across the Shires show that the percentage of drivers speeding have also decreased.
Studies conducted in 2002 and then again in 2004 have shown that the percentage of vehicles speeding has dropped 13% on problem streets, which equates to around 5km on some streets.
Results are in line with the state and international average. In 1999 the RTA undertook a major study of Local Government Areas participating in the voluntary 50km/h urban speed limit program in NSW. A 21 month evaluation of the initiative showed there were more than 200 fewer crashes than would have been expected with a 60km/h limit, representing a 25% reduction in the number of crashes.
Recent RTA statistics show that the effectiveness of the 50km/h urban speed limit program indicates a reduction of pedestrian fatalities on 50km/h roads of 20%. The research shows that reducing speed, even by just a few kilometres, makes a big difference to the outcome of crashes. If hit by a vehicle travelling at 60 km/h a pedestrian has a 15% chance of survival, this increases to 55% if the vehicle is travelling at the slower speed of 50km/h.
It doesn’t matter how good a driver you are – the faster you go the longer it takes to stop. A vehicle travelling at 10 km/h more than the posted limit takes 10 metres longer to stop. Based on a reaction time of 1.5 seconds, which is that of an alert driver, it would take a vehicle travelling at 60 km/h 38 metres to stop in dry weather and only 28 metres if travelling at 50 km/h. In wet weather the braking distance is even longer. Further if two vehicles brake at the same time, a vehicle travelling at 60km/h will STILL be travelling at 43km/h when a car travelling at 50km/h has stopped. On residential streets even one extra metre can be the difference between life and death.
While the results of 50km/h urban speed limit in Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shires are pleasing, we can still do more. This is a timely reminder to remain vigilant while driving around town and check your speed and adjust it if necessary.
Contact details
Melanie Suitor
02 6861 2364 (ph)
02 6863 5931 (fax)
melanie.suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au
