Safer Speeds Trial Approved by Council

Three-Year Safer Speeds Trial Approved

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River Council has approved a three-year ‘Safer Speeds Trial’, the largest of its kind in Australia.

The trial will introduce a network approach to lowering speed limits on approximately 550 roads in key areas of the shire, including urban centres, town outskirts and high-speed rural roads. The goal is to improve road safety and reduce serious injuries and fatalities. 

This decision comes after extensive consultation with stakeholders including RAC, WA Police, Main Roads WA and external road safety experts, as well as a detailed analysis of road crash data, traffic volumes and international best practices in road safety. 

Community responses showed strong support for this initiative. Council listened to community feedback and made several amendments to the trial, including adjustments to the proposed speed limit on Hillview Road, Augusta and Cowaramup Bay Road, Gracetown.

Between 2019 and 2023, 59 people were killed or seriously injured on roads in Augusta Margaret River. Research indicates that a 10% reduction in speed can lower deaths and serious injuries by up to 30% in high-speed areas. 

Shire President Julia Meldrum expressed Council’s commitment to road safety. 

“Road safety is a top priority for our community, and this trial is a proactive step towards protecting lives.

“By lowering speed limits on high-risk roads, we aim to make a tangible difference in reducing serious injuries and fatalities,” she said.

An assessment of 16 local routes earlier this year, showed that the average increase in journey time was just 62 seconds, with most routes seeing an increase of less than two minutes. 

“While the trial may result in a slight increase in travel times, the safety benefits far outweigh this. This is about saving lives and making our roads safer for everyone.

“We know that safer roads mean healthier communities with less strain on emergency services,” she added. 

The trial will be implemented throughout 2025 and will include signage installation and a community education campaign. The Shire will continue to engage with residents and keep the community informed on the progress of the trial.

“We hope this trial will inspire other local governments across Western Australia to adopt similar measures, helping reduce road trauma throughout the state,” she said.

“Together, we can make our community safer, and our efforts may serve as a model for others to follow.”

RAC Group Executive Social and Community Impact Terry Durant was pleased with Council’s decision.

“RAC strongly welcomes Council’s support for implementation of the Safer Speeds Trial and we look forward to working with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Main Roads WA on the next steps over the months ahead," she said.

“We know speed is a major contributor to road trauma and the aim of the trial is to create safer roads for everyone."

The Shire will provide regular updates as the trial progresses. For more information about the trial and how it may affect local roads, visit the Shire’s website.