Lower speed limits 'will confuse drivers'

KATE BASTIANS, The West Australian February 9, 2012, 12:10 pm

Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan thinks 30km/h speed limits aimed at preventing pedestrian deaths would "confuse" drivers.

His comments follow a call from road safety experts for speed limits of 30km/h to be tested near shopping areas, hospitals, schools and aged-care homes after WA recorded the biggest number of pedestrian deaths in 11 years.

Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre director Brett Hughes said 30km/h speed limit trials were needed after 26 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in WA last year — the equal worst toll since 2000 when 34 pedestrians died.

Mr Hughes said research showed a person hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km/h had a strong chance of surviving, but those hit at 50km/h rarely lived.

But Mr O’Callaghan told 6PR there were already too many different speed zones for drivers to remember.

"I think this is leading to situation where we are going to start to confuse people with so many different speed zones," Mr O’Callaghan said.

"I don’t think the general public will accept it either."

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34 Comments

ken04:33pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse

Where di this numnuts come from. Mr wippy will be passing us. Why not just ban suburban traffic. Mr Hughes should do a degree in common sense.

Bob04:42pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse

I agree Ken, there are already too many different speed limits which are NOT properly displayed.

Hendo Henderson04:44pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse

speed limit trials were needed after 26 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in WA last year — the equal worst toll since 2000 when 34 pedestrians died. How does 26 equal 34?

2 Replies

seek1mor05:24pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse

Only a public servant could come up with 26 = 34. But, then again, maybe it was a politician. Afterall they are the bright sparks of the community.

Ranjeeh05:59pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse

Where is the credibility in these third rate institutions? I suppose that most don't understand; the rubbish put forward is purely due to a requirement that academics publish findings to qualify for their pointless doctorates and such. If only the media ignored this rubbish!

Show:

2 0
ken04:33pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
Where di this numnuts come from. Mr wippy will be passing us. Why not just ban suburban traffic. Mr Hughes should do a degree in common sense.
4 0
Bob04:42pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
I agree Ken, there are already too many different speed limits which are NOT properly displayed.
4 0
Hendo Henderson04:44pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
speed limit trials were needed after 26 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in WA last year — the equal worst toll since 2000 when 34 pedestrians died. How does 26 equal 34?
2 Replies
1 2
seek1mor05:24pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
Only a public servant could come up with 26 = 34. But, then again, maybe it was a politician. Afterall they are the bright sparks of the community.
0 0
Ranjeeh05:59pm Thursday 09th February 2012 WSTReport Abuse
Where is the credibility in these third rate institutions? I suppose that most don't understand; the rubbish put forward is purely due to a requirement that academics publish findings to qualify for their pointless doctorates and such. If only the media ignored this rubbish!

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