Participants of the UNSW study suggested Civic, Braddon (pictured), Dickson, Kingston, Forrest, Coombs, Turner, Campbell and Amaroo as areas that could benefit from 30 km/h speed limits. Photo: City Renewal Authority (CRA).
Despite 30 km/h and 40 km/h being identified as the most difficult speed limits to comply with, a University of NSW study has recommended the lower limit be implemented in high-risk areas across Canberra.
But it added that it shouldn’t be the only change to make the ACT’s roads safer.
The UNSW study found speeding was “prevalent” in low-speed zones across the Territory, particularly among young drivers.
“Our findings show that while drivers generally understand the safety benefits of reduced speed limits, compliance – especially in lower speed zones – remains poor,” research lead Dr Oleksandra Molloy said.
“This presents a clear opportunity for targeted interventions and policy reform to improve road safety.”
The report identified school zones, other educational establishment areas, hospitals, aged care facilities and locations with pedestrian and cyclist activity as places where 30 km/h speed zones would benefit both road safety and vulnerable road users.
Suggested suburbs that could benefit from 30 km/h zones were: Civic, Braddon, Dickson, Kingston, Forrest, Coombs, Turner, Campbell, and Amaroo.
Some suggested streets and areas were: City Walk, London Circuit, Theatre Lane, Cooyong Street, Lonsdale Street, Northbourne Avenue near Reid and Civic, Kingsley Road and Russell Offices.
“In the ACT, where pedestrian activity is concentrated around schools and urban centres, non-compliance with low-speed zones continues to pose a serious risk,” it stated.
Three-quarters (75.4 per cent) of survey participants recognised the link between reduced speed limits and improved public safety, but only 44 per cent supported the introduction of 30 km/h zones.
“However, 80 per cent of respondents did not believe that lower-speed zones, such as 30 km/h, would improve drivers’ speeding behaviour,” the report noted.
“The 30 km/h and 40 km/h speed zones were identified as the most difficult to comply with … many expressed concerns toward the effectiveness of 30 km/h zones on improving driver speed compliance.
“Additional concerns were raised due to low-speed compliance that may lead to more dangerous situations, driver frustration, and issues with cruise control functionality at 30 km/h.”
This led to the finding that there should also be a focus on driver training, attention and decision-making.
The study used a driving simulator to measure young drivers’ speed compliance, with half of the participants then receiving cognitive-based training that included feedback on performance, safety, and financial implications.
“We observed participants from both groups consistently exceeded the posted speed limit; however, those who received the intervention reduced their speed by up to 3 km/h on average,” Dr Molloy said.
“This highlights the effect that cognitive-based interventions could have on reducing speeding if included in driver training.”
The report also recommended road engineering improvements, such as clearer road signs and markings, utilising narrower roads in low-speed areas and wider roads in high-speed areas, increased speeding fines for repeat offenders, and rewards for safe driving.
“If we are seriously aiming to reduce road-related injuries and fatalities among young drivers, we need a combined strategy that includes education, enforcement, and engineering solutions to support safer driving,” Dr Molloy said.
Eurobodalla Shire Council has implemented 30 km/h speed limits in high pedestrian-activity areas such as Ford, Church and Queen streets in Moruya’s CBD.
The Eurobodalla Road Safety Plan 2025-2028 found the change has offered “significant benefits”.
“It enhances safety for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and those with mobility challenges, creating a safer and more welcoming environment for shopping and socialising,” it stated.
The council’s 2024 Road Safety Survey found that 56.96 per cent of respondents believed the speed was “just right” in shopping precincts, but 31.65 per cent felt it was too high.
Kurrajong independent MLA Thomas Emerson has been advocating for safer active travel in Canberra, and stressed any move to reduce speed limits would need to be met with “far more investment” in active travel options.
“If we just make it harder to travel by car without improving access to other forms of transport, we’re going to end up with a lot of really frustrated Canberrans,” he said.
“Canberra’s streets should be a lot more active, liveable and child-friendly than they are, but our city will remain deeply car-dependent until public and active transport options are made significantly more attractive.
“Addressing gaps in our footpath network, actually funding the construction of the cycling network contained in the ACT Active Travel Plan, and trialling slower streets in some suburbs would be great first steps.”
The ACT Government is already trialling new measures to make roads safer for active travel users, such as through the Sherbrooke Street Active Travel project in Ainslie.
“The insights gained from this project, alongside the outcomes of this research, will play a key role in shaping the next ACT Road Safety Strategy and guiding our commitment to achieving Vision Zero,” a spokesperson said.
