New 50Kph Speed Limits in NSW - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Jamie XR6 · 10-25-2003, 22:26

This is a very little circulated law that is coming in for NSW. You may have seen it tucked away at the back of this Sunday's paper. I only found it by accident.

50 km/h default urban limit

The speed limit for urban streets will become uniform across NSW from Saturday 1 November 2003. For more than 95 per cent of the population of NSW, there will be no change to current urban speed limits because 50 km/h already applies. For these areas, the change in the urban default simply means that if you are in a built-up area* and don�t see a sign, the speed limit is 50 km/h.

This follows favourable results from the 50 km/h trial in NSW and the widespread voluntary adoption of 50 km/h as the limit in predominantly residential streets. Reports from the trial found reductions in both speed and the number of crashes.

The reduced speed limit has strong community support and is in line with the recent adoption of a national 50 km/h default urban speed limit.

Simpler
The 50 km/h speed limit will apply to all built-up areas* across NSW.

If you're travelling on a road signposted at 60 km/h or higher, the 50 km/h default limit will apply as soon as you turn off that road on to any road without a speed sign. Reduced speed limits at school zones, road works and other special areas still apply.

Speed limit signage on roads that will remain at 60 km/h have been upgraded to assist motorists and all the 50 km/h signs erected under the voluntary 50 km/h scheme will gradually be removed because the 50 km/h default urban limit law will make them unnecessary.

Safer
The 50 km/h default urban limit is part of a nationwide strategy to reduce the incidence of injury and death due to motor vehicle crashes. International and Australian research shows that even small reductions in vehicle speed can reduce both the number of deaths and the severity of injuries resulting from road crashes.

A car travelling at 50 km/h has a stopping distance 10m shorter than a car travelling at 60 km/h. In residential areas this is a significant difference - enough to save a life or avoid serious injury if a child suddenly runs onto the road or a vehicle unexpectedly reverses out of a driveway.

A 50 km/h speed limit on residential streets has been shown to have little impact on travel times in built-up areas.

History
1997: Local government and the RTA implemented a three-month trial of a 50 km/h urban speed limit in 26 NSW local government areas.

1998: The Minister for Roads invited all NSW local governments to implement 50 km/h speed limits throughout their local government areas with all implementation costs, including signage and advertising campaign costs, funded by the RTA.

As part of this implementation a second, extensive independant evaluation was conducted by ARRB Transport Research Limited from June 1998 to April 2000 to determine the effectiveness of this road safety initiative. NRMA Limited conducted an analysis of crash insurance claims.

2002: Almost 85 percent of NSW local governments voluntarily implemented a 50 km/h urban speed limit, and over 95 per cent of the NSW population live in an area that has already implemented a 50 km/h urban speed limit.

2003: 50 km/h default speed limit will apply on all streets in built up areas*, unless otherwise signposted, from Saturday 1 November 2003.

* Note: A 'built-up area' refers to an area where there are buildings on the land next to the road or there are street lights along the road with a spacing of 100 metres or less for a total length of at least 500 metres or if the road is shorter than 500 metres, for the whole length of the road.

dave_au · 10-25-2003, 22:38

Yeah, I mentioned it in a thread about 4 months ago. Not that many people cared.
50KPH For all standard Sydney Streets.

rsgerry · 10-26-2003, 04:23

i wouldnt stress too much about this. in WA they introduced this limit some time ago, but it is very rarely policed. after all, why stick an $80000 camera on a back street that gets 2 cars an hour when that same camera could be placed on a nice busy road with the potential to raise a lot more cash.

sadly, this is just another example of band-aid politics. it makes joe average think that something is being done about road safety and allowws the pollies to congratulate themselves on another job well done.

FalKeen · 10-26-2003, 04:29

i think one of the stupidest parts about this is that they are actually gonna TAKE DOWN some of the 50kph signs!!

makes sense doesnt it

why not just leave the bastards there?
less work, and less confusion

XR8 Lamah · 10-26-2003, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalKeen

i think one of the stupidest parts about this is that they are actually gonna TAKE DOWN some of the 50kph signs!!

makes sense doesnt it

why not just leave the bastards there?
less work, and less confusion

I agree ! Its fkn unbelievable that they would remove the signs and make you less aware of a changing speed limit. Every little reminder helps eh ? Especially when your playing "spot the speed sign" to guess whether its a badly posted 60, or a 50 zone . . .

pfft !

(yes, you *can* assume its 50 until you spot a 60 sign - all the while having ppl crawl all over your ass).

Anyone else think that if they put half as much effort into curing cancer as they do bollocksing around with speed limits and crap, they would have cured it by now ?

Jamie XR6 · 10-26-2003, 16:16

I certainly have no problem with 50kph zones, I live in one of those streets that need it.

What annoys me was the only way I found out about this was a small ad in the Sunday paper. They certainly didn't go out of their way to advertise this.

I agree with you Falkeen, there isn't enough posted signs as it is and they are going to take some down!

Keeping up with traffic in Sydney is no indication of the posted limit as everybody drives 20kph over the limit anyway.

VOOK · 10-26-2003, 17:34

So what we've had it in perth for a couple of years now. No one obey its lol. poor poor policemen can think it can slow us down.

Althogh I do think 50 is the right speed near house and the like but some roads which used to be 60 are now 50 and there too slow. :/

kempster1 · 10-27-2003, 00:55

It has been in Tassie for about 12 months and it is Policed !!, but they have placed the zones very well so that it is only on those back streets.
It was also introduced into the NT about three years ago, it was a pain up there due to so many open style urban roads, It was only Policed hard within 1 km of schools.