Research from around the world shows us that 30km is the safe speed for areas where there are multiple people walking or on a bicycle. International examples and a growing body of evidence show us that lowering speed limits in these areas is the right route to take.
A person walking or on a bicycle has a 40 percent chance of being killed if struck by a car travelling at 40km and only a 10 percent chance of being killed at 30km.
Overall, if average speeds are reduced by just 1km, road crashes are reduced by 2-3 percent.
We have undertaken research on the number of crashes that have resulted in injury in the 5 years leading up to the existing 30km trial. There have been drastic changes when compared against the number or crashes in the years since the trial started in 2018.
Our research shows a reduction in the percentage of total and serious injury crashes in the areas with 30km speed limits in Fitzroy and Collingwood compared with the rest of Fitzroy and Collingwood when it had 40km speed limits.
Road safety strategies from around the world, including Victoria’s own Road Safety Strategy – Towards Zero 2016-2026, recognise the benefits of 30km speed limits.
Research also shows that reduction in speed limits in urban areas has minimal impact on travel time. Travel time in built-up areas is related to how much time is spent slowing and stopping at intersections, parking and in local congestion. Maximum travel speed has very little to do with travel time in these areas.
Council is committed to creating a safe environment for all residents to travel, whether they choose to walk, cycle or drive. Yarra’s Council Plan 2021-25 commits to exploring further 30km speed limits and the Yarra Transport Strategy 2022-32 also supports 30km speed limits.
30km myths
Resources
Findings from Council's post-trial study (August 2019) and pre-trial study (November 2023) for expanded 30km areas:
- We have undertaken research on the number of crashes that have resulted in injury in the 5 years leading up to the existing 30km trial. There have been drastic changes when compared against the number or crashes in the years since the trial started in 2018.
- Our research shows a reduction in the percentage of total and serious injury crashes in the areas with 30km speed limits in Fitzroy and Collingwood compared with the rest of Fitzroy and Collingwood when it had 40km speed limits.
- The initial review of the existing trial in August 2019 found that community support for 30km speed limits rose from 44 percent to 51 percent in the trial area.
- Our latest community sentiment research in August 2023 has shown that:
- 68 percent of participants living or working within the previous trial area support 30km speed limits on the streets they live on.
- 59 percent of participants living or working within the expanded trial area support 30km speed limits on the streets they live on.
- The higher-level support for the participants within the previous trial area is consistent with the findings of many studies. These trends show that support for lower speeds naturally increases post-implementation.
Additional reports and policies from Yarra City Council
Final report of the 30km Speed Limit Trial Evaluation in the City of Yarra
Monash University Accident Research Centre for Yarra City Council, June 2020
City of Yarra - 30km Speed Limit: Pre-Trial Final Report
Monash University Accident Research Centre for Yarra City Council, 2017
Moving Forward: Yarra’s Transport Strategy 2022-32
Yarra City Council
City of Yarra Safe Travel Strategy 2016
Yarra City Council
The Australian and Victoria Governments Road Safety Strategies are based on the principles that:
- Road collisions and accidents do occur for a variety of reasons including road user error.
- It is important to reduce the impacts from such events.
- The severity of injuries to vulnerable road users following a collision is directly linked to vehicle speed.
- Even small changes to vehicle speeds can have a positive impact in the severity of injuries to vulnerable road users.
The Victorian Government Road Safety Partners has further recognised:
- The most important factor in reducing injuries to vulnerable road users are travel speeds, and resultant impact speeds. This is most important at locations where the mix of vulnerable road users such as people who walk or cycle with drivers are high.
- Research shows that when someone walking or cycling struck by a car travelling at 50km experiences a 90 percent chance of being killed in the impact.
- There is a 40 percent likelihood a person hit at 40km will be killed.
- This reduces to 10 percent at 30km.
- Successive studies have shown that 30km is the maximum impact speed for a healthy adult before death or very serious injury becomes increasingly likely.
- The World Health Organisation recommends that in areas where vulnerable road users are typical in the traffic mix, the maximum speed limit should be 30km, unless strong evidence suggests otherwise.
Additional reports and policies from the Victorian Government and the Federal Government
Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and Road Safety Action Plan 2021-2030
Victorian Government
Speed Zoning Guidance
Victorian Government
National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030
Federal Government
National Road Safety Action Plan 2018-2020
Federal Government
Victoria Walks Position Statement – Safer Urban Speeds
Victoria Walks, 2021
Tackling unsafe speeds - Ministry of Transport
New Zealand Government
Gearing up for 20mph speed limits
Welsh Parliament
Speed and Crash Risk
International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group for International Transport Forum (OECD), 2018
Managing speed
World Health Organisation, 2017
Factors influencing travel speed: Velocity Series Discussion Paper 4
Monash University Accident Research Centre, 2012
Towards Zero: Ambitious Road Safety Targets and the Safe System Approach
OECD/ITF Transport Research Centre, 2008
Speed Management
OECD/ECMT Transport Research Centre, 2006
Evaluation of a 50km Default Urban Speed Limit for Australia
Monash University Accident Research Centre for National Road Transport Commission, 2001
Vehicle Travel Speeds and The Incidence of Fatal Pedestrian Collisions
NHMRC Road Accident Research Unit for Federal Office of Road Safety, 1994
