Major Towns Lower Speed Limits to Save Lives
Feedback is invited on safety-focused proposals that would enable modest reductions to speed limits in the core business and activity areas of Riddells Creek, Woodend and Kyneton.
Fully funded through the Victorian Government’s Safe Local Roads and Streets Program, in consultation with the Department of Transport and Planning and the Transport Accident Commission, these proposals aim to improve safety for pedestrians and all road users.
Studies show lowering speed limits reduces the severity of collisions and ultimately, fatalities. For the selected towns, traffic counts show that average operating speeds are in many cases already below the proposed new speed limits, with minimal impacts expected to travel times. Lowering the current speed limits is also necessary to legally enforce the minority who do exceed them on occasion.
These proposals align with Council’s strategic and consultation-informed town movement network plans, as well as the overarching Mobility and Road Safety Strategy which follows the internationally recognised Safe System approach.
Director Assets and Operations Dom Testoni said lowering speed limits on selected roads was a small-yet-powerful change, to influence driver behaviour around more pedestrian-heavy areas.
“The principles that underpin the Safe System approach are that people make mistakes, people have a limited tolerance to injuries, and that safety is a shared responsibility – this proposal aims to support all three of these,” he said.
“We appreciate that some may feel lowering speed limits is an overreach or unnecessary, but no matter how adept or alert of a driver you feel you are, this measure will reduce the risk of impeding factors both in and outside of our control. Those who have been involved in a serious vehicle incident or have sadly lost a loved one will appreciate this more than most.”
The proposals for Riddells Creek, Woodend and Kyneton complement a similar recently consulted-on proposal for speed limit reductions and roundabout upgrades in Gisborne, to which feedback is currently being considered.
Drop-in sessions relevant to these proposals will be held as follows:
Feedback is invited until Monday 7 July 2025. Visit yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.au/pedestrian-and-road-safety-improvements
https://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/About-Council/News/Latest-News/Lowering-speed-limits-to-save-lives-across-our-major-towns