RAC welcomes the reduction of speed limits in four South-West towns which will improve safety for all road users and help address the high level of road trauma in regional WA.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs Will Golsby said the leadership shown by the community and the State Government to lower the speed limit from 50kmh to 40kmh in the towns of Boyanup, Donnybrook, Balingup and Bridgetown is a win for regional road safety.
“WA has one of the worst road safety records in the nation, with speed a major factor in the alarming number of deaths and serious injuries occurring on WA roads,” Mr Golsby said.
“Sustained and courageous leadership on road safety is crucial if we are to prevent thousands of people from being killed and seriously injured over coming years.
“We welcome the State Government consulting with the community and taking action to improve road safety by reducing the speed limits in these towns.
“We also congratulate the residents, businesses and councils who campaigned for these speed limit reductions. This decision is another sign that communities are increasingly recognising the importance of encouraging safer travel speeds.
“While there are many opinions about speed and speed limits, the facts show that lowering speed limits by just 10 per cent has a very small impact on journey times but can dramatically reduce deaths and serious injuries — including by 30 per cent on higher speed roads.
“While it may take a short time for some motorists to warm to the change, we believe achieving the prize of fewer loved ones being killed and seriously injured on our roads is something we can all support.”
RAC Media Contact: Caitlin Barr, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
