Changing the speed limit on this road in Cairns, Queensland from 50km/h to 40km/h reduced crashes
The Cairns CBD was one of the most dangerous places to walk or cycle in Queensland until a cheap upgrade reduced the accident rate.
In 2019, the speed limit on many city streets was reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.
Cyclist and pedestrian losses decreased by 36 percent in two years.
The Cairns example is among several in a report to be published by Roads Australia on Wednesday, calling for urgent action to reverse the country’s road tolls.
Last year was the deadliest incident on Queensland roads in the last 16 years, with 308 people losing their lives.
Before the changes to Cairns’ CBD, Aplin and Abbott streets had the highest number of serious injuries or deaths of any 50km/h street in Queensland.
From 2013 to 2017, there were 171 casualties in Cairns’ CBD, including one death. The area had more accidents compared to Fortitude Valley and Surfers Paradise areas, where there were more cars passing and more visitors.
Most casualties occurred during fair weather and daylight hours; very few were due to drunk pedestrians (3 per cent) and most drivers had a Queensland licence.
Local Brynn Mathews said the changes made to some streets had been “very successful”.
“Once it’s done, you’re back to the bad old days with two lanes in each direction, no room for cyclists and getting stuck between parked cars,” said Mathews, of the Cairns Cycle User Group.
Road deaths across the country have increased over the past five years, putting at risk the federal government’s goal of halving deaths by 2030.
Nearly a quarter of deaths occurred on local streets, and the number of deaths on roads with a 50km/h speed limit increased by almost 20 per cent last year.
Compared to 2024, pedestrian deaths increased by 13 percent and cyclist deaths increased by 32 percent across the country.
Roads Australia CEO Ehssan Veiszadeh said there was an urgent need to rethink how urban streets are designed and managed.
“These deaths are not just statistics; these are parents, friends and children who never make it home after a casual trip to the shops, school or work,” he said.
“At a speed of 50 km per hour, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle 90 percent chance of death.
“At 40 km/h the risk drops to approximately 40 percent, and at 30 km/h the risk drops to only 10 percent.”
