Australia's road safety landscape is on the brink of a significant transformation.

With the number of road-related accidents on the rise, experts called for a national reassessment of how drivers move on the road.

This sparked a discussion about ensuring the safety of all road users.

According to experts, 2023 became the deadliest year on Australian roads in a decade.

The Northern Territory saw a 170 per cent increase in road deaths within a year.

In addition, The Northern Territory and Western Australia currently have the highest default speed limits at 110 km/h.

On the other hand, the rest of Australia has a default speed limit of 100 km/h.

Researchers proposed lower speed limits for the safety of drivers and pedestrians across Australia. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Matthew Philip

These figures are not just numbers; they represent lives lost and families shattered.

With the alarming rise in road fatalities, the current default speed limits are under scrutiny.

The WA Centre for Road Safety Research, led by director Teresa Senserrick, has been advocating for reduced speed limits.

Senserrick highlighted the urgency of this issue, particularly in Western Australia.

She also emphasised the potential benefits of reduced speed limits nationwide.

Just in time for the state's road safety summit, Senserrick's message was clear: lowering speed limits will save lives.

'So when the country changed from miles per hour to kilometres per hour, all the states and territories rounded their default speed limit on rural roads to 100—except WA and the NT,' Senserrick explained.'

For reference, Tasmanian highways have lowered their speed limit to 90 km/h, and some have reduced to 80km/h.

She also pointed out that the default speed limits were set based on the 1970s standards.

However, with advancements in technology, increased population, and evolving road conditions, these speeds should be changed to prioritise the citizens' well-being.

The research-driven proposal indicated that a 10 km/h decrease in speed could reduce the risk of severe and fatal injuries by 28 per cent.

'It is about adapting to changes over time and saying that these speeds are no longer viable on the roads if we want to prioritise people's lives and well-being,' Senserrick stated.

Senserrick also drew parallels between the current speed debate and past attitudes towards drink-driving.

'Going back to the '70s and '80s, people did not generally believe that having several drinks and driving was risky,' she shared.

'That has now changed. People do agree that drinking too much is risky to drink and drive. We need to do the same approach with speed.'.

These changes on the road should promote safer roads in response to changing conditions

'Australia used to be in the top 10 of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in our roads' safety records; we were tracking to get into the top five and doing extremely well,' Senserrick shared.

'We now barely scrape into the top 20, and we are well below the average. We have got very, very far behind.'

All drivers must stay informed and prepared to adapt their driving habits.

The proposed changes are not just regulatory adjustments; they are life-saving measures that require the support and cooperation of drivers.

Key Takeaways

• Experts called for a reduction in the default speed limit on Australian roads to reduce road fatalities.
• Some regions, such as the Northern Territory and Western Australia, have default speed limits of 110 km/h, which are among the highest in the world.
• Road safety research suggested that lower speed limits could reduce the rates of severe crashes and deaths.
• Western Australia was urged to lead the way in lowering speed limits, with the potential for other states to follow suit to improve road safety.

Do you have a story or opinion about road safety and speed limits? Share them with us in the comments section below.

 

[aheaney313]

The only way to reduce the road toll is education. All young persons should be taught to drive and educated about the motor vehicle they drive and the consequences of there actions behind tbe wheel. Reducing the road speed limits will not stop people being killed.

 

[shutterbug1962]

More importantly the amount of speeding drivers, high powered vehicle in the hands of people who just want to race, drivers running lights, totally selfish and inconsiderate road users and road ragers are the one that must be addressed.
Also all this latest technology in New vehicles is not as great as the government believes. Much off this technology makes drivers less alert as they don't need to focus, or believe they don't need to focus, on the road as much.
The issues are drivers alertness and common consideration on the roads.
The police presence and lack of ability to enforce the road rules and deal with bad drivers and unlicensed road users is also a large percentage of the reason we have so many issues on our roads.
I am all for police presents on our roads and a return to real (LAW ENFORCEMENT)!

 

[Free.lander]

AH -- the old university trained experts are at it again-- writing and talking crap and as usual using stats to show just how right they are. There might come a time in the far distant future when experts use their knowledge to listen to people who actually use the goat tracks we call highways.
The road users repeatedly call for desperately needed up grades to the Bruce highway and where is the money spent-- That's right and another 6 lane highway from Brisbane to the Gold coast
Nothing spent north of Nambour and nothing ever spent north of Gladstone
But hey 100KPH is the reason for the deaths so lets cut it back to 80 KPH
For once stop talking -- speed kills and lets start talking driver education improvement
Why do we not have an instant call center where bad driving habits can be reported immediately and then the police can set up interceptors to remove those drivers from the roads
Fact-- bad drivers repeat their bad habits every day on the same roads every where so a data base would allow the police to put an unmarked car on the road in the area around that time and then remove the driver
Now we all know that the justice system is in disarray from the revolving door for your criminals , so it is the same to reoccurring bad drivers , because the judges don't have a police history of the driver to act on
Fact -- if responsible drivers could e-mail a daily witnesses bad driving effort then that could be handed to the judge and the right deterrent issued
NO way you say, as some one could have a set on a car, and continually report it-- would you not think that would set a trend and that person would be ignored and that on one morning , with one bad driver , there could be 100 reports of that driver for different ares
What ever -- I am saying is this A-- excessive speed is a problem but not the only problem , B- bad roads is a majour problem and is always ignored, C - there are not enough officers to police bad drivers so bring in good drivers as reporters of bad driving so that the police can concentrate their efforts on the driver and not waste resources D - raise the age to get a license to 18
THERE ARE SO MANY MOVES THAT CAN BE TAKEN SO WHY ARE THE EXPERTS FOCUSING ON THE EASY USELESS FIX ONLY

 

[menu]

I drove over a million kilometers and found that education and fatigue were the main factors of accidents with carelessness and impatience were not far behind. People need to learn their body and stop when tired or feeling unwell .

 

[raye]

Hi, in my opinion the lowering of the speed limits as a blanket operation is not necessary or viable in Australia.
The road conditions are what need to be addressed, this coupled with adequate clean rest areas would make a difference.
In the age of super Highways that Bypass towns to facilitate a straight line from A to B it has allowed complacency in the need for rest, years ago when travelling and having to slow for small towns and villages, people would stop, rest, throw the kids out for a run and look around and refresh, this no longer happens, THIS in my opinion is a major contributor to problems.
Another thing worth considering is when people from Urban areas who rarely travel more than 80 km/h venture onto a highway with higher limits with little or no knowledge or experience with these speeds, without trying to sound nasty, these people do actually pose a problem, perhaps a restriction is needed there.

 

[RobinM]

What rubbish, how about road users driving to the current rules, drive defensively, be more alert and respecting the other road users. Also with modern cars speed limits should be raised, if you hit a tree at 100 or 110 or even 120 chances are you wouldn't survive at any of those speed. Driver education and awareness is the key, not just arbitrary speed lower.

 

[SonsofPlatinum]

The condition of roads in Victoria makes them unsafe at any speed !Latest technology in cars is wasted when road surface damages tyres,wheels and suspension!

 

[Gort55]

The only way to reduce the road toll is education. All young persons should be taught to drive and educated about the motor vehicle they drive and the consequences of there actions behind tbe wheel. Reducing the road speed limits will not stop people being killed.

Agree, although, I would not discount many elderly (and I am one myself) as well particularly when it comes to road rules which they tend to forget and so make up their own instead of referring to the actual laws. I find if one follows the actual rules every day you remember them, many people change their interpretation of the rules as often as they change their underwear.

 

[BJW]

The only thing I can see this helping is increased revenue for each state government arising from speeding fines. It, unfortunately, has nothing to do with road safety or saving lives. Once again it all comes down to GREED.

 

[macca4949]

Reducing the speed limit is the most backward thinking response. We have seen over the years (I am 75) and still driving when they reduce speed limits more crashes. Okay I guess if you live in the cities but not in rural/regional areas. It is just another cash grab by ill informed groups. I got my licence when you had to drive to road conditions but if you compare road crashes/deaths they keep going up. Last few years , the increase has been caused by an induced medical procedure. Look at the road statistics for last 4 years.

 

[Alesandra Mankoch]

More Signs of Speed Regulation would help a lot. Cars and Trucks come through towns doing well over 50. With many gophers on the road it is a disaster t er waiting to happen

 

[Viellarde]

AH -- the old university trained experts are at it again-- writing and talking crap and as usual using stats to show just how right they are. There might come a time in the far distant future when experts use their knowledge to listen to people who actually use the goat tracks we call highways.
The road users repeatedly call for desperately needed up grades to the Bruce highway and where is the money spent-- That's right and another 6 lane highway from Brisbane to the Gold coast
Nothing spent north of Nambour and nothing ever spent north of Gladstone
But hey 100KPH is the reason for the deaths so lets cut it back to 80 KPH
For once stop talking -- speed kills and lets start talking driver education improvement
Why do we not have an instant call center where bad driving habits can be reported immediately and then the police can set up interceptors to remove those drivers from the roads
Fact-- bad drivers repeat their bad habits every day on the same roads every where so a data base would allow the police to put an unmarked car on the road in the area around that time and then remove the driver
Now we all know that the justice system is in disarray from the revolving door for your criminals , so it is the same to reoccurring bad drivers , because the judges don't have a police history of the driver to act on
Fact -- if responsible drivers could e-mail a daily witnesses bad driving effort then that could be handed to the judge and the right deterrent issued
NO way you say, as some one could have a set on a car, and continually report it-- would you not think that would set a trend and that person would be ignored and that on one morning , with one bad driver , there could be 100 reports of that driver for different ares
What ever -- I am saying is this A-- excessive speed is a problem but not the only problem , B- bad roads is a majour problem and is always ignored, C - there are not enough officers to police bad drivers so bring in good drivers as reporters of bad driving so that the police can concentrate their efforts on the driver and not waste resources D - raise the age to get a license to 18
THERE ARE SO MANY MOVES THAT CAN BE TAKEN SO WHY ARE THE EXPERTS FOCUSING ON THE EASY USELESS FIX ONLY

18 in Vic

 

[Drew62]

Sorry but doing that won't work as people already speed with the speed limits we have in place hundreds of time I have been passed in 60 and 80 zones as it seems to be too slow for other drivers out there even on the expressway people go faster than 110 so why bother changing the speed limits people do not Obey them now

 

[Robbo3006]

Everyone pays the price for idiots and drivers that can't drive properly, some countries you don't stop at pedestrian crossings, drive on the wrong side of the road by choice, then they do the same here.

 

[Rosi Gordon]

Decreasing the speed limit is only going to frustrate impatient drivers more by making risky moves that are going to increase accidents. NSW does have 110 klm speeds on the freeways and still people break that limit. The experts should learn from Europe with their higher speed limits on their freeways with less accidents and deaths.

 

[Arron25]

NT has 130km Speed limit... The road Toll actually went UP when the previous Unlimited speed sections were eliminated and a Restriction was put in place..

 

[David567]

Maybe if the dangerous rule where speedo can be out by 10% plus 4kph were changed back to accurate, there would be less accidents. At 110kph speedo reading the actual speed can be as low as 96kph. Therefore driving too slow can be just as dangerous as driving too fast. A class action law suit against the ADR to have the regulation changed back to accurate speedos in much needed so people actually know what speed they are driving. Thousands of drivers have no idea this ridiculous rule even exists. We now have thousands of vehicles driving at different speeds as every car speedo has different readings believing they are driving at the spped limit when in fact they can be driving at up to 14kph under. For those that know about this get impatient with those who don't. The ADR needs to be held responsible for the increased accidents and deaths as a result of this regulation.

 

[Fossickerphil]

The experts say indeed, the 110kph speed limit has been with us for 40 plus years, look how the advances in car handling , breaking , steering and all the other safety gear has been added to our vehicles. Look at speeds in EU with some roads having no speed limits.
driving standards and education has declined, the testing and training in young drivers is a joke these days. Same as education in schools i guess. No, alcohol is no longer a big issue however drugs certainly are. Also the amount of tourists and imigrants that have been used to driving on the other side of the road is a big issue. Some just have not got a clue how to drive.
with our long distances any reduction of speed will create more boredom with more accidents as the journey will take far longer.
try increasing the speed limit not reducing . Think outside the square for a change

 

[Merv Gower]

I live in Tasmania and highway speed limits are still 110 kmh not 90 or 80 as stated in this story.
Regards
Merv