Case study - local speed limits

The City of Boroondara is committed to improving road safety and reducing the number of road crash fatalities and injuries in the City, as outlined in its Road Safety Strategy.

In the City of Boroondara, Whitehorse Road (Balwyn Shopping Centre), Glenferrie Road (Glenferrie Precinct), Burke Road (Camberwell Shopping Precinct), High Street (Kew Junction Shopping Centre) and Maling Road (Canterbury) are all 40km/h zones. The 40km/h zones aim to reduce vehicle speeds in high pedestrian activity centres such as shopping strips to improve pedestrian safety through the creation of a safer walking environment.

The City of Darebin advocates for lower speed limits in activity centres - an action outlined in both the Darebin Transport Strategy and the Darebin Safe Travel Strategy.

The City of Darebin is currently advocating for lower speed limits for the southern section of High St, and recently successfully advocated for a reduction of the limit from 50 km/hr to 40 km/hr in a section of Station St, Fairfield – a local centre.

Lower speed limits for vehicles create a more pedestrian friendly environment, has strong positive effects on pedestrian safety, and decreases the greenhouse gas emissions from cars. Lower speed limits result in increased actual and perceived levels of road safety resulting in greater uptake of active travel options.