As the debate over road safety versus driver convenience revs up, a controversial proposal recently sparked outrage and concern among motorists.

The suggestion of imposing a blanket speed limit across all streets received a chorus of disapproval, with some even calling it 'absolute madness'.

The Adelaide City Council proposed a speed limit of 30 km/h, which has been under review for over two years.

The proposed speed limit should make Adelaide's city roads safer for both drivers and pedestrians.

The proposal had three options:

• A citywide 30 km/h limit
• A 40 km/h limit for most roads
• A mix of both with major arterial roads staying at 50km/h.

However, the 30 km/h limit has ignited the most heated responses.

A councillor feared that the speed limit might affect locals' travel time and productivity. Image Credit: Pexels/Cameron Readius

Councillor Henry Davis did not mince his words when he condemned the idea.

'To my mind, this is absolute madness; you would shut down the city if that were the case,' Councillor Davis said in an interview.

'It's madness. I don't even know why we were sitting in a council meeting for about an hour and a half considering this as a viable option.'

The proposal also aimed to encourage 'riding in' with others, minimising car usage in the long run.

However, Davis argued that the slower traffic could have the opposite effect.

In the face of backlash, Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith reminded the public that the proposal was still in its early stages.

She highlighted the balance between safety and convenience.

'On one side, if you go to the road accident research people, they will tell you if you're hit as a pedestrian at 50 km/h, you've got a 90 per cent chance of dying,' Lord Mayor Smith said.

'Whereas if you're hit at 30 km/h, you've got a 10 per cent chance of dying. The other side of the argument is people's convenience and how easy it is to get around.'

With all this in mind, Lord Mayor Smith said that the proposal still has a 'long way to go'.

The proposal came in at a time when Australia started grappling with preventable road deaths.

As part of the National Road Safety Standards Agreement signed in 2021, Australia should halve road deaths by 2030.

However, the country saw a 17.4 per cent increase in the national road toll.

About 1,288 people have died on Australian roads during the past year, with no state or territory on track to meet the targets.

'The road toll is clearly a tragedy,' National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) spokesman Peter Khoury lamented.

The debate over the proposed speed limit was just part of a larger conversation about road safety.

It raised critical questions about how cities could balance efficient transportation with the importance of protecting lives.

Key Takeaways

• Adelaide City Council proposed several speed limits to be applied across the city.
• The proposal received significant backlash, with a councillor criticising it as 'absolute madness' that could stifle the city's daily operations.
• Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith reminded locals that the proposal was still in the early stages and still has a long way to go.
• The proposal came after the national concern over road deaths, as road deaths have increased over the past year.

We want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on the proposed speed limit changes in Adelaide? Would these measures improve safety, or would it create more problems? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below.

 

[Willowis147]

As a Driver who's Licence was my living..i still hold a heavy Transport license.
NO Way this proposal is ludicrous . I am an OBE* i use my vehicle most days.. i detest having to go into Adelaide .i usually do not have passengers. Have they any idea the complexities of in our heat crawling around at 30 klm..Cars overheating.. emitting more fumes because the vehicle being in Lower gears.
Next we will need someone with a RED Flag walking in front of the Vehicle.. lowering the speed limit will only Make it WORSE with Pedestrians..They Pay No attention Now. They wonder about like sheep ...look Pedestrian need to heed the laws that are in place for their protection look at the people hit by a trains in recent times..as a pedestrian i look at the traffic..i do not take risks..but far too many do not Care .the attitude of the driver will see me...will miss me.. walking behind reversing vehicle.. Pedestrian Need to be made accountable.. Not Just Drivers..
*OBE over bloody eighty.
Dianne Dolman

 

[Willowis147]

I think we should address the elephant in the room, which no council seems to want to do. Excess road deaths could possibly be attributable to effects of the vaccine. Because every country in the world has excess deaths on roads and everywhere else, Australia is no exception. The only problem is the "government and councils" will never admit it because they have hidden the truth for 3+ years. Just my opinion but I been researching quite a lot this last 4 years.

Oh Come on Vaccine.. you Anti Vaccine bods take the cake..have you ever had a Childhood disease?. Let me tell you..they are No fun.Whooping Cough is rampant again because of People like you..All i hope is you had Chicken Pox as a child ..that will make you prone to Shingles later on in life..it cost my friend her Sight, her right to drive. It cost her her life in the end..i have had all my vaccinations & their Boosters..and Covid would have killed me had i not done so..some 2&1/2 years later i am still coughing up muck yes long term Covid is NO JOKE.. And Vaccines certainly do Not cause Accidents. Inattentive driving and not being skilled enough at driving To miss the other clown behind the wheel.. You have Wasted 4 years on your Researching when you should have been having Driver Training.

 

[deni67]

Really, and they used to call Perth the Nanny state,lol.
Ours is 40kph, that's slow enough.

I'm from Perth and I remember that well.

 

[deni67]

Well this has certainly stirred up the pot! I am 83 years of age physically disabled, deaf, and a sufferer of Alzheimer's for 15 years. So I am going to put in my piece for the elderly and young children. Like very young children I am never on my own when out and about; also I only have to face these dangerous situations on very rare occasions to attend appointments. At such times I am very nervous, yet have no choice but to take things very slowly. Unless my Government Assisted Carer cannot find one we always use a Zebra crossing, but it is very disappointing and upsetting to discover that in many instances a Zebra Crossing is missing in an area where it is obvious pedestrians continually use to get to a main shopping area for Groceries, a Chemist, or a Doctors. Another dangerous area is roundabouts. There is one in particular in Elizabeth next to the TAFE College. Here the cars come at top notch speed over a bridge, and many rarely slow down, leave alone stop and give way, to traffic on the roundabout which has right of way. I'm not saying road accidents in built up areas is always the fault of drivers, but I do think a blanket speed limit of 30 km/h would cut down the number of accidents and occurrences of Road Rage.

I know that roundabout well, my heart goes into my mouth when we come off Elizabeth Way, travelling straight through the roundabout, only to have the drivers coming off the bridge speeding and hitting their brakes at the last minute. We've had a few cross the line before they have stopped which makes us stop suddenly putting the cars behind us in danger.
They need to do something about it, make is smaller or something!

 

[Veggiepatch]

In my limited experience of driving in the city centre you can very rarely get up to 30 kph unless you are a lead foot from the lights , so I can’t see the problem.

It's hilarious to see the dickheads in their Wankermobiles win the race, flat to the floor, to the next red light 100 metres up the road!

 

[PMC senior]

Typical bureaucratic response to an issue caused by a small percentage of the population. Instead of addressing it from an educational (for drivers and pedestrians) and licensing standpoint thus dealing with the problem before it can hope to rear its ugly head, the attitude is to impose a ridiculous solution on all drivers regardless of their driving record.
The livelihoods of all those who dependent on vehicles (taxis, trucks, couriers and the like) will be threatened to the extent that road transport, Uber, Taxi etc prices will be increased astronomically and result in an inflationary effect on the economy.
Of course public transport will be affected and commuters will find that their commute time will increase drastically.
Cars are not designed, geared etc to travel at these low speeds and function quite inefficiently yielding more pollutants from their exhausts. Don't believe the studies from government funded researchers. A vehicle that is designed to travel at 30/kmh will do this efficiently with reduced emissions but who is going to buy a vehicle just so idiot pedestrians can survive a collision. A good percentage of pedestrian related accidents are due to the Darwin effect.
It probably would be a much better idea if ALL roads etc in cities be fenced off from pedestrian pathways, more pedestrian crossings (preferably as pedestrian bridges wherever possible). This would have the effect of funnelling pedestrians to designated crossings and prevent them from playing dodgems with the traffic.
Maybe we should go back to horses? Well that brings its own set of health problems - manure. Who will hang the horse thieves.

 

[Ellev]

Our school zones here in Adelaide are 25kph.

How are you supposed to hit anything doing that.

 

[Veggiepatch]

How are you supposed to hit anything doing that.

Easy....

I've hit a light pole doing less than 5 kmh at night as a learner.

 

[macca4949]

Oh Come on Vaccine.. you Anti Vaccine bods take the cake..have you ever had a Childhood disease?. Let me tell you..they are No fun.Whooping Cough is rampant again because of People like you..All i hope is you had Chicken Pox as a child ..that will make you prone to Shingles later on in life..it cost my friend her Sight, her right to drive. It cost her her life in the end..i have had all my vaccinations & their Boosters..and Covid would have killed me had i not done so..some 2&1/2 years later i am still coughing up muck yes long term Covid is NO JOKE.. And Vaccines certainly do Not cause Accidents. Inattentive driving and not being skilled enough at driving To miss the other clown behind the wheel.. You have Wasted 4 years on your Researching when you should have been having Driver Training.

In reply to your statement. you obviously are a main stream media fanatic if you really believe what you are saying. Through "government" FOI etc from countries around the world backs up my statements. The legacy media , like the TGA, APRAH will never tell you the truth but every doctor in Australia received a letter from APRAH advising them that it was in their best interests not to question the covid jab. Many did and were de-registered, but most have their license back as the TGA etc at the last court case admitted they got it wrong. Please, do not believe me, please do your own research and see what you come up with. If you have not done any research your response is invalid. And, no I do not need driver training I am a retired heavy vehicle driver with a clean record and yes, I still drive around the country. But you, need to switch the tv off and look around you and wake up.

 

[mylittletibbies]

In reply to your statement. you obviously are a main stream media fanatic if you really believe what you are saying. Through "government" FOI etc from countries around the world backs up my statements. The legacy media , like the TGA, APRAH will never tell you the truth but every doctor in Australia received a letter from APRAH advising them that it was in their best interests not to question the covid jab. Many did and were de-registered, but most have their license back as the TGA etc at the last court case admitted they got it wrong. Please, do not believe me, please do your own research and see what you come up with. If you have not done any research your response is invalid. And, no I do not need driver training I am a retired heavy vehicle driver with a clean record and yes, I still drive around the country. But you, need to switch the tv off and look around you and wake up.

Oh dear, another anti vaxxer.
Can't you guys give it a rest.
It appears that no matter what we are discussing on this forum you manage to twist the discussion back to vaccines.
Believe what you want and get off your soapbox and leave the rest of us alone.
Go preach to the converted, they'll listen, they're as silly as you.

 

[Snowcat2023]

Road safety is not a matter related only to speed. It is important to recognise that traffic density, both vehicular and pedestrian, the road way and surrounding conditions such as lighting, visibility, sufficient, relevant, precise and concise signages, intended function (serving busy business area vs significant transit/by-pass traffic), etc. all play a part towards road use and consequent road toll. In recent years, our population has increased significantly with corresponding increases in road and pedestrian traffic. Of course, this factor alone can contribute to an increase in road trauma, all else being unchanged. Even though there have been improvements in roadworks over the years, it should be clear to an observant person that in spite of that, just population increase alone has resulted in a very significant increase in both vehicular and pedestrian traffic density within the city (and elsewhere). Of course, reducing speed can minimise the trauma severity of a traffic mishap. However, does that mean that we should aim for zero speed which, by simple reasoning, should result in zero injuries? I doubt anyone will accept that as the direction to follow. Correspondingly, the same speed limit imposed on all city streets regardless of the function of the particular thoroughfare and its immediate surroundings can only indicate significant lack of thought on the issue. For example, West Terrace is a multi lane, roadway serving not only as a feeder road to the city and business along the thoroughfare but it also serves a very important function as a bypass by others heading away from the city. Hence, imposing the same speed limit on West Terrace as one would on Grenfell Street can only result in the perception that the proposer cannot be aware of the significant difference not only in the use of the road but also has a very severe lack of understanding of its location, surroundings and functions. On this basis, the proposal that a blanket speed limit be imposed across all streets within the city is, understandably and reasonably, unacceptable! Consequently, I believe Council has not put itself in a good light with its proposal for the blanket speed limit.
Nevertheless, the question remains as to what is the appropriate speed limit to implement. Should there be different limits depending on the use and character of the precinct? There is a 50km/h limit currently in place within the city. I believe that the traffic speed along Grenfell Street between King William Street and Pulteney Street, for example, is generally lower than the imposed limit of 50km/h. The 2 sets of pedestrian lights plus the traffic lights at the junction of Gawler Place and Grenfell Street often prevent rapid progress along that stretch of road. As a consequence, I believe, users of that thoroughfare have generally conditioned themselves to a slower transit through that area of the city. Consequently, it will be a less objectionable and a more acceptable approach if a stepwise area-differentiated approach is taken adopting practices already in train. For example, instead of canvassing for the overall implementation of a speed that is generally considered to be excessively restrictive, I believe the approach should be to implement a set of limits within the city.
Perhaps, a practical and more readily acceptable approach is to adopt, in specific areas, a restriction, such as a 40km/h limit, already widely implemented within the suburbs in suburban streets. I believe that Council will be seen to be addressing the safety issue after significant careful thought and research by adopting this as the first step/trial to be assessed within an identified area and specified period. This will have the advantage that, with appropriate monitoring, experience will be gained by Council and the public. Its outcome can then be used to assess the merit or otherwise of retaining the lower speed limit. I believe, such an exercise will be more welcomed and acceptable to the general public (40km/h being already implemented in built up areas). Additionally, the outcome will provide firm real life data on the benefits or otherwise of keeping to the speed reduction(s) in the trial areas. Of course, such an exercise may also provide relevant data for the consideration of further speed reduction at some future date.
In conclusion, I believe that a process based on a practice already implemented within suburban areas, supplemented with pertinent and locally well researched traffic monitoring (pattern and flow) in the various areas of the city and one recognising that no one speed can suit all areas within the city will provide a more meaningful outcome for local business, residents and visitors to the city. Importantly, I believe the outcome will also be better accepted and supported by the general public.

 

[macca4949]

Oh dear, another anti vaxxer.
Can't you guys give it a rest.
It appears that no matter what we are discussing on this forum you manage to twist the discussion back to vaccines.
Believe what you want and get off your soapbox and leave the rest of us alone.
Go preach to the converted, they'll listen, they're as silly as you.

Wrong, not an anti vaxxer, just a person with common sense who did not let the "government" force an experimental jab on me. Just think, if the so called pandemic was as bad as they reported, why were politicians, judges, police commissioners and health officials exempt from the jab. Go and look up Malcom Roberts from One Nation, Alex Antic from the Liberal party, Senator Gerrard Rennick, Senator Babet. Ask yourself why these politicians are canning the
'government" in the senate hearings but your main stream media fails to report it. When people cannot answer simple questions, they resort to name calling, a sure sign of immaturity. Research. Discussion closed.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Wrong, not an anti vaxxer, just a person with common sense who did not let the "government" force an experimental jab on me. Just think, if the so called pandemic was as bad as they reported, why were politicians, judges, police commissioners and health officials exempt from the jab. Go and look up Malcom Roberts from One Nation, Alex Antic from the Liberal party, Senator Gerrard Rennick, Senator Babet. Ask yourself why these politicians are canning the
'government" in the senate hearings but your main stream media fails to report it. When people cannot answer simple questions, they resort to name calling, a sure sign of immaturity. Research. Discussion closed.

Thank goodness for that!

 

[Tennis]

Speed limits across the country are being reduced. Country areas are now forced to drive at 80 kilometres/hour where before it was 100 kilometres/hour. People become frustrated and overtake people sticking to the road limit. It will not stop the hoons as they never stick to road limits. People in the 80 kilometres/hour now travel 65 kmh which makes it even more frustrating as you cannot pass them anywhere. You cannot have a blanket speed limit - we are becoming a nanny state. Who on earth make these decisions. Country people are being made to adhere to city people making decisions for them. Ridiculous!!

 

[PsMatt]

A quick calculation means the distance travelled in 90 seconds at 50 kmh is 1.25 kms. At 30 kmh per hour, it drops to 0.75 kms.

What "city" are you speaking of? Bourke? Cloncurry? Horsham?

Wrong, not an anti vaxxer, just a person with common sense who did not let the "government" force an experimental jab on me. Just think, if the so called pandemic was as bad as they reported, why were politicians, judges, police commissioners and health officials exempt from the jab. Go and look up Malcom Roberts from One Nation, Alex Antic from the Liberal party, Senator Gerrard Rennick, Senator Babet. Ask yourself why these politicians are canning the
'government" in the senate hearings but your main stream media fails to report it. When people cannot answer simple questions, they resort to name calling, a sure sign of immaturity. Research. Discussion closed.

If there was ever a list of nut jobs you have started it with the easily identifiable ones.
Let me think, why are they canning the government? Maybe it's they think this will get votes and the government is assist people no so well off and not feathering their nest like the previous government rorts.

 

[deni67]

If there was ever a list of nut jobs you have started it with the easily identifiable ones.
Let me think, why are they canning the government? Maybe it's they think this will get votes and the government is assist people no so well off and not feathering their nest like the previous government rorts.

Sorry but what?
I'm not sure what you're saying here, i'm a bit dense sometimes

 

[Brian (the old bloke)]

It is obviously time to reverse and or repeal the disastrous decision that our British cousins made and celebrate with the London to Brighton Car Run. Bring back the red flags ASAP. Brian

 

[Ebby]

absolute bloody madness-- We have cars not bloody horses and carriages
Slow speed creates frustration and that is a primary cause of accidents and road rage
Pedestrians are more often than not, responsible for the accidents because they are on phones, just step out with the expectations the car can stop on a cent piece, regardless of the speed
WE read a lot about how speed kills, but nothing about reaction times so at 5kph and a walker steps out , the few meters space is taken up by reaction time ==damaged pedestrian
If the council has nothing better to do with their time than to argue about speed limits, then the city must be perfect in every way, or the fools are not doing the job they are paid to do to improve the city.
Money would be better spent in teaching kids that cars take time to stop and they , the kids, have a responsibility for their own safety on the foot paths and roads.

My car idles at 25kmph

Your a menace l'd hate to get behind you.

 

[Ronloby]

Making roads safer would also help. Some new housing areas have very narrow roads yet allow parking on both sides, which slows the speed more than a speed restriction would. How do councils allow this in their planning? I know more MONEY.

 

[Chicky]

If they keep this up we will be back taking the bus or walking again