In response to the increasing number of fatalities on Australia’s roads, the government is considering implementing a trial program that would reduce the speed limit on thousands of roads.
The program would affect regional areas. In 2024, the number of fatalities in Western Australia increased significantly.
Around the mid-year mark, the state had recorded 102 fatalities on its roads, which is a significant increase from the previous years.
It’s possible that 2024 will be one of the deadliest years in recent history due to the high number of fatalities on its regional roads.
Road authorities are concerned about the rising number of fatalities on Western Australia’s roads. They believe that reducing the speed limit on certain roads is a good start.
In late December, the Augusta Margaret River and Busselton councils will be voting on whether to implement the reduction of the speed limit on 1800 roads. The affected areas are between the two LGAs.
It’s believed that the trial, which will be the first of its kind in Australia, will last for three years to determine the effectiveness of the changes.
The RAC, which is a major supporter of the trial, said it aims to prevent serious injuries and save lives on local roads.
Will Golsby, the RAC’s general manager external relations, said the trial would help measure the effectiveness of the lower speed limit.
The trial will cover areas with high pedestrian activity, such as Augusta and Busselton town centers. The speed limit on residential streets and roads in all township areas will also be lowered from 50 to 40 kilometers per hour.
Sealed roads west and south of Bussell Highway, from WonnerUp to Cape LeeuWin, will have their speed limits reduced from 80 to 70 kilometers per hour.
The proposed changes will affect roads through built-up areas, such as the Bussell Highway and Bayview Drive.
The speed limit on these roads would be lowered from 60 to 50 kilometers per hour. Golsby noted that evidence from around the world has shown that implementing speed limit reductions can lead to a significant decrease in road fatalities.
The Road Safety Commission of Western Australia has noted that speeding is a leading cause of road trauma in the state. He said the South West region, which has experienced a significant increase in its population, is also a popular destination for tourists.
According to a report by the Road Safety Commission, about 195 people died and were seriously injured on roads within the Augusta River and Busselton LGAs from 2019 to 2023.
This figure is one of the highest in the state. The topic of speed reduction has been brought up this year. Yahoo News Australia previously reported on a previous pushback.