12 February 2025
Evidence Supports 30km/h Speed Limits in School Zones
The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) welcomes the discussion on reducing school zone speed limits to 30km/h and urges the Tasmanian Government to take an evidence-based approach to road safety policy. Research consistently demonstrates that lower speed limits significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of pedestrian injuries, particularly for children.
International and Australian studies confirm that the risk of fatality for a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km/h is around 10%, compared to approximately 40% at 40km/h and more than 80% at 50km/h. At 30km/h, a driver has more time to react, stopping distances are reduced, and the impact force in the event of a crash is significantly lower.
Data from Australia and overseas has shown the effectiveness of 30km/h zones in reducing road trauma. A Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) study1 found that reducing speed limits to 30km/h in high-pedestrian activity areas could reduce crashes resulting in serious injury by up to 50%.
The World Health Organization (WHO)2 and OECD both recommend 30km/h speed limits in areas with high numbers of pedestrians, particularly children, as part of a Safe System approach to road safety. European cities that have implemented widespread 30km/h limits have seen substantial reductions in pedestrian injuries and deaths.
Between 2020 and 2024, 13 pedestrians and cyclists aged 17 and under were involved in crashes in Tasmanian school zones, including one fatality. These numbers highlight the need for evidence-based measures to protect young road users.
ACRS acknowledges that changes to speed limits should be implemented with careful planning, community engagement, and complementary safety measures such as traffic calming and improved infrastructure. However, the overwhelming evidence shows that lower speeds save lives, particularly in areas where children are present.
We encourage policymakers to prioritise the safety of young pedestrians and consider the strong research supporting 30km/h limits in school zones as part of a broader strategy to reduce road trauma in Tasmania.
Sources
- https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/2255924/COY-Trial-MUARC-Report-no-340-final.pdf
- https://www.who.int/news/item/17-05-2021-streets-for-life-campaign-calls-for-30-km-h-urban-streets-to-ensure-safe-healthy-green-and-liveable-cities
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002243752400152X
Media release – Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO), 11 February 2025
Parents Open to Lower School Zone Limits
At its February board meeting, the Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO) discussed the proposal to reduce speed limits in school zones to 30 km/h. This conversation follows recent commentary from RSAC Chair Scott Tilyard and Transport Minister Eric Abetz.
John Allan, President of TASSO advised today “While we have not yet made a formal decision to support a blanket reduction to 30 km/h, we are not opposed to the idea.”
Mr Allan explained the position “The overarching goal is to make school commutes safer for children, which we fully support. However, as we are not traffic engineers or road safety experts and given the lack of detailed information in the current proposal, we believe it’s important to defer to the experts and local school communities to determine the best approach to achieve safer roads around their school.”
Many School Associations across Tasmania have long advocated for improved safety measures around their schools. These efforts include conducting audits, gathering community feedback, identifying potential improvements, circulating petitions and engaging with councils and the Department of State Growth.
“School associations have consistently called for tailored safety enhancements, such as traffic-calming measures, raised wombat crossings, continuous footpaths, better visibility, speed humps, restructured parking and additional crossing guards. Many have also requested that local police and councils increase enforcement efforts, which tend to improve driver behaviour, at least temporarily. Improving public transport options would also help reduce the number of cars around schools,” Mr Allan said.
Mr Allan went on to explain that a uniform reduction in speed limits may not be suitable for all areas, “a one-size-fits-all approach may not be the best solution. For example, schools situated on major thoroughfares may require a more gradual reduction of speed limits, with lower limits applied only near the school entrance. Conversely, some schools located on narrow streets may already have conditions where a 30 km/h limit is already the standard and other safety measures could be more effective in making the roadway safer for students.”
He also noted the challenges of addressing driver behaviour. “Inattention, distraction and complacency are significant concerns. If drivers are already failing to stop at crossings, speeding, or distracted by their phones, simply reducing the speed limit may not be enough to resolve the issue. We hope all drivers recognise that driving needs their full attention and that they comply with all the road rules, especially near schools!”
