The McGowan Government bids to reduce speed limits on city and country roads in an effort to curb the WA’s now devastating road death toll.

The Road Safety Council has initiated work on a new plan which involves testing “various road safety measures” to save lives on WA roads with the ‘Towards Zero’ safety strategy nearing its end.

Vice-president of the Australasian College of Road Safety, Martin Small has been recruited to work on the WA strategy in cooperation with Adelaide’s University’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research.

Mr Small, played a key role in South Australia’s decision to cut the speed on country roads from 110km/h to 100km/h stating that many roads were not safe enough to warrant the high speed limits they carry.

“Some roads in Australia are quite safe at 110km/h,” he said.

“However, relatively speaking, very few roads are safe at this speed because it typically requires restricting access, roadside and central barriers, and flyovers at every junction.

“This is not always a practical design and would be prohibitively costly across a main road network in regional Australia. Whether in regional or urban areas, safe speed limits should match the design and function of the road, and the capability of vehicles to protect all road users in the event of driver error.”

In 2018 WA roads saw a death toll of 153 people. In response to this dvestating number, Mr Small said SA’s results in lowering speed limits from 110km/h to 100km/h were “in line with what is well proven elsewhere — a casualty reduction in the order of 20 per cent”.

Mr Small said he would also examine other major road safety issues such as alcohol, vehicle safety technology, safe road design and infrastructure improvements.

“When it comes to saving lives, nothing can be off the table, but before any decisions are made, we want to make sure we consult as widely as possible.

“Because it’s a strategy for all West Australians, it’s only right that there’s an opportunity for all West Australians to have input.”

Source: WA Government to consider cutting road speed limits
07 Jan 19