To improve road safety and reduce the risk of crashes, Mitchell Shire Council has begun implementing changes to speed limits across both residential and rural areas.
Speed limits on several roads within the Seymour Town Centre and Wallara Waters Residential Estate in Wallan will be reduced to 40 km/h. Additionally, a number of other roads will see their speed limits lowered to 60km/h or 80 km/h.
These adjustments are grounded in extensive crash data and safety research, demonstrating the life-saving benefits of slower speeds.
In residential areas, the aim is to enhance safety for vulnerable road users and improve community liveability. Research has shown that a pedestrian hit at 40 km/h stands a 60% chance of survival, compared to just 10% at 50 km/h.
For rural roads where speed limits will be reduced to 80 km/h, the new limits will help mitigate the risk of fatal crashes from run-offs and collisions. Drivers at 80 km/h have significantly improved chances of survival compared to those travelling at 100 km/h.
While rural roads without speed limit signs have a default speed limit of 100km/h, drivers are urged to adjust their speed to the conditions, ensuring that they drive safely, even in the absence of signage.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall said the introduction of these new speed limits is part of a broader commitment to improving road safety in Mitchell Shire.
