In a significant move to enhance road safety, Infrastructure Victoria has proposed reducing speed limits to 30km/h on residential streets as part of a new 30-year strategy. This initiative aims to decrease pedestrian fatalities and injuries, particularly among children, by implementing lower speed limits in areas they frequent.

Why Reduce Speed Limits?

Research shows that a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 50km/h has an 85% chance of fatality. Reducing the speed to 30km/h dramatically decreases this risk to just 10%. This statistic highlights the potential life-saving impact of the proposed speed limit reduction.

Dr. Jonathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, emphasizes that "slower speeds make streets safer," encouraging walking and cycling in local neighborhoods while having minimal impact on travel times.

Where Will the 30km/h Speed Limit Apply?

Initially, the reduced speed limits would be implemented in child-friendly zones such as areas around schools, playgrounds, and kindergartens. Over time, the plan aims to extend these limits to all local streets currently set at 50km/h, creating a safer environment for all residents.

Global Trends in Speed Limit Reduction

Victoria’s initiative follows global trends toward lowering urban speed limits. Wales, for example, implemented a mandatory 20mph (approximately 32km/h) speed limit in residential areas in September 2023, leading to a 35% reduction in road fatalities and a 14.2% decrease in serious injuries. Similarly, cities like Birmingham are considering city-wide 20mph limits to enhance road safety.

Part of a Bigger Infrastructure Plan

Beyond speed limit reductions, Infrastructure Victoria’s strategy includes a $75 billion investment to accommodate the state’s projected population growth to 11.5 million by 2055. Key recommendations include:

• An $8 billion overhaul of Victorian hospitals.

• Incentives for off-peak public transport usage through fare reductions.

• Phasing out stamp duty in favor of a land tax.

• Constructing 60,000 new social housing units over 15 years to address chronic waiting lists.

These measures aim to ensure infrastructure development keeps pace with population growth, improving the quality of life for all Victorians.

Conclusion

The proposed reduction of speed limits to 30km/h on residential streets represents a proactive approach to improving road safety in Victoria. By aligning with successful global examples and integrating this measure into a broader infrastructure strategy, the state aims to create safer, more livable communities for its residents.