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.
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