Lower speed limit trial aims to reduce road toll in WA

Following one of the worst years for deaths on Western Australian roads, one council is dropping the speed limit on hundreds of routes – and it could just be the beginning.

Hundreds of regional roads in Western Australia will soon have their speed limits reduced – with potentially more than 1000 additional roads to follow.

A plan to slash speed limits as part of a trial to curb the state’s road toll has been approved by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, and could soon be joined by the City of Busselton after a scheduled council vote in January.

The Safer Speeds Trial is said to be the largest of its kind in Australia and will run for three years, following consultation with the RAC, WA Police, and Main Roads WA, as well as road safety experts.

As first reported in November 2024, 550 roads in the state’s southwest – approximately 270 kilometres south of Perth – will have speed limits dropped from 80-110km/h to 70-80km/h.

Roads in less built-up areas will also be reduced, with 70-100km/h signposted roads dropped to a 60km/h limit.

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Meanwhile, in urban areas and town centres, the trial will drop speed limits by 10km/h.

It’s hoped the changes will reduce road deaths and serious injuries by up to 30 per cent in high-speed areas.

According to the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, an assessment of 16 routes would increase travel times by less than two minutes in most cases – with motorists to spend an additional 62 seconds on their journey on average.

A community education campaign will accompany the trial, with signage installations to occur throughout 2025.

If the trial is approved by the City of Busselton next month, the trial will be expanded to include more than 1800 roads across the region.

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Western Australia’s current road toll is at its highest since 2016, according to WA Today newspaper, with 173 deaths recorded so far.

“While the trial may result in a slight increase in travel times, the safety benefits far outweigh this. This is about saving lives and making our roads safer for everyone,” Shire President Julia Meldrum said in a written statement.

“We know that safer roads mean healthier communities with less strain on emergency services.”

The decision has received strong support from RAC Group Executive Social and Community Impact, Terry Durant.
“RAC strongly welcomes Council’s support for implementation of the Safer Speeds Trial and we look forward to working with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Main Roads WA on the next steps over the months ahead,” she said.

“We know speed is a major contributor to road trauma and the aim of the trial is to create safer roads for everyone.”

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