FAQs

The proposal to lower speeds will reduce the likelihood of a crash and significantly reduce the severity of injuries resulting from a crash.  Research has shown that relatively small reductions in vehicle speeds result in significant reductions in risk, because it gives more time for drivers to react to avoid a potential crash and if a crash does occur, it reduces the severity. 

Lower speed reduces the stopping distance of a vehicle in two ways. Firstly, in the time that it takes the driver to react to a hazardous situation and begin to apply braking, the vehicle will travel a lesser distance than would be the case at a higher speed. Secondly, the distance taken to stop the vehicle under braking will be less. In the eventuality that a collision does occur, both factors will assist in reducing the severity of the impact. 

Reduced speed particularly improves safety for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, making the road environment safer for these vulnerable road users.  Research has shown that a reduction in vehicle speed from 60km/h to 50km/h, the probability of pedestrian fatality is reduced by 15% and can lead to a 25% reduction in serious casualties for all road users.  

One of the perceived disadvantages of reducing speed limits on these urban roads is the additional travel time that motorists would incur. In the peak hours, the average speed on these roads is generally below 60km/h. Thus, in the peak times the lower speed limit is unlikely to make a significant difference to overall travel times. 

In the off-peak times though, there will be longer travel times. However, it can be argued that the increased travel time is not a large amount. Savings in travel time by travelling at 60km/h compared to 50km/h over one kilometre saves only 12 seconds.  The roads being considered for lowering speed limit are less than 2km in length, travel time on these roads will be increased less than half a minute.

Considering the day-to-day variations in trip times that every motorist experiences through congestion, incidents, traffic signal stops, etc on an urban road, most motorists would not notice the difference in the trip times between the proposed 50km/h speed limited network and the current 60km/h speed limited network.   The same is true for the proposed 40km/h speed all the time on Main Road in the Moonah CBD. 

Speed limit changes are approved by the Commissioner for Transport in which Council can nominate changes in accordance with the Tasmanian Speed Zoning Guidelines.  The following factors are considered when reducing the speed limit:

• What the road is used for
• How many people use the road
• Roadside development, such as the number of driveways along a road
• The type and mix of road users on the road
• The width and alignment of the road
• Minimising the number of times a speed limit changes in one section of road.

Glenorchy City Council has reviewed our road network against the guidelines and at this stage have proposed the five speed reductions.  Future speed limit reductions may be considered in accordance with the guidelines. 

If you would like to provide input into the proposed speed limit reductions, please undertake the quick survey.  The survey and consultation will be available till the end of September 2023.  

Once the consultation has been completed, a report will be present to Council for a decision with feedback received outlined.  Council will then write to the Commissioner for Transport.

The outcome of the speed limit reductions and implementation will be published on our Let’s Talk page, so please keep posted.  If you would like to discuss this matter directly, please contact Council's Transport Engineer on 6216 6800.