SPEED LIMIT CHANGED IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS
The speed limit along a section of Ryde Street, Evanston has been increased following a request made by local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo.
In October last year Mr Piccolo wrote to the Gawler Council and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) requesting that the 50km speed limit be shifted closer to the town centre as the current speed zone was inappropriate for the locality.
Mr Piccolo wrote that “It is requested that the existing 50 km/hr limit on Ryde Street nearest to Jack Cooper drive be moved easterly to better reflect the [lack of] development along the roadside.” Mr Piccolo went on to say “The existing limit appears out of kilter with the physical [surrounding] environment.”
Mr Piccolo said that he had received complaints from local motorists that the speed limits were not right for that location. DPTI advise that key factors considered in setting a speed limit include crash history, road function, road use, roadside development, road characteristics, traffic mix, and especially the presence of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicycle riders.
Mr Piccolo said other factors also include the number, type and frequency of driveways and intersections which indicate potential conflict points.
“These potential conflict points are considered because they allow vehicles to turn across traffic where there is the chance of a potentially more severe right angle crash occurring,” Mr Piccolo said.
Mr Piccolo said speed limits are a balance between what the evidence shows is a safe speed limit to drive and what the community thinks is an appropriate speed.
“A speed limit that is far below community expectations may result in drivers ignoring it. Road safety is maximised by people obeying the speed limit so that every user has a shared understanding and expectation.”
Earlier this year Ryde Street was identified as a road where motorists exceeded the speed limit in significant numbers. Mr Piccolo said that the new limits better reflect community expectations while maintaining an appropriate speed limit environment.
Mr Piccolo stressed that exceeding the speed limit could not be justified as it put the lives of other road users at risk, so he urged people to report to the local council or his electorate office any speed limit which they believe is inappropriate.
Mr Piccolo thanked DPTI Officers for their constructive engagement in this issue over a number of months. “In the end though, community safety is paramount.”