New reduced speeds to be trialled across Capes

Community feedback is being sought on a planned trial of speed limit reductions across Busselton and Augusta Margaret River, which would measure the extent lower speed limits assist in preventing deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

The Safer Speeds Trial is a partnership between the City of Busselton, Shire of Augusta Margaret River and RAC, with support from Main Roads WA.

The Trial proposes to reduce speed limits on approximately 1,250 local roads in the City of Busselton and 550 in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

In the north of the region, roads including Biddle, Marrinup and Wildwood Roads would be posted at 70km/h, while central Dunsborough, Quedjinup, Abbey. Kealy, Busselton and Geographe residential roads would be reduced to 40km/h.

The 40km/h speed limit trial also applies to the towns of Margaret River, Witchcliffe, Prevelly, Gnarabup and Augusta, while roads including Metricup, Harman’s Mill, Cowaramup Bay, Burnside and Boodjidup would be reduced to 70km/h.

Wallcliffe Road, currently posted at 90km/h for much of the journey, would come down to 80km/h.

Between 2019 and 2023, 136 people were killed or seriously injured on roads in Busselton and 59 in Augusta Margaret River.

According to the WA Road Safety Commission, speed continues to be a leading factor in WA road trauma.

There is strong evidence from Australia and around the world that speed limit reductions typically lead to a substantial decrease in road deaths and serious injuries.

The Safer Speed Trial aims to test a new approach to setting speed limits, focusing on harm minimisation and analysing roads in a holistic, area-wide way.

It is anticipated to commence in early 2025 and run for three years.

To show how the Safer Speeds Trial might impact journey times, a transport consultant drove 16 of the routes across the Trial area earlier this year.

This real-world assessment found the average increase in driving time was 62 seconds.

In almost all cases the increase in journey time was less than two minutes.

An independent evaluation process would be conducted throughout the Trial, to inform any decisions on whether to reinstate current speed limits or make any of the trialled changes permanent.

Members of the community are encouraged to visit the Safer Speeds Trial website at saferspeedstrial.com.au to learn more and view a map of proposed reductions.

Feedback on the proposed Trial can be provided via the Shire of Augusta Margaret River Your Say engagement portal and the City of Busselton Your Say engagement portal. Consultation closes 4 November 2024.