SPEED limits on several main roads in Ballarat have changed, with reductions of 10km\/h and 20km\/h taking effect on Monday.<\/p>\n
Among the most significant is a reduction from 70km\/h to 60km\/h on a 2.4-kilometre section of Sturt Street in Alfredton, from Pleasant Street to Learmonth Street, which passes four secondary schools.<\/p>\n
Other changes are on Victoria Street in Ballarat East, where a 2.4-kilometre section between Fussell and Humffray streets has also gone from 70km\/h to 60km\/h; a one-kilometre stretch of Main Road from Humffray Street to Bradshaw Street drops from 60km\/h to 50km\/h; and a reduction from 60km\/h to 50km\/h along a 900-metre section of Grant Street between Barkly and Doveton streets.<\/p>\n
On Barkly Street, a 1.1-kilometre stretch between Victoria Street and Grant Street has changed from a mix of 60km\/h and 40km\/h zones to a consistent 50km\/h.<\/p>\n
The Department of Transport and Planning, which is responsible for setting speed limits, said in a statement that the alterations were “in response to a high number of enquiries from the community and the relevant crash history on these sections of roads”.<\/p>\n
It said a number of factors were considered when making the changes, including the number and type of vehicles using the roads and their historical safety records.<\/p>\n
“Speed limits are subject to a rigorous review process and are considered on a case-by-case basis,” the statement said.<\/p>\n
The department’s Barwon South West and Grampians executive director, Michael Bailey, said setting speed limits is a balancing act aiming to keep vehicles moving and people safe.<\/p>\n
“That’s why we’ve introduced safer speeds at key locations across Ballarat, helping to protect school kids, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users,” he said.<\/p>\n
“By making sure the speed limit is right for the road, we can help prevent crashes from happening and reduce the severity when they do happen.”<\/p>\n
Speed limits are set by teams of road safety specialists who review limits against the department’s Speed Zoning Policy and Speed Zoning Technical Guidelines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SPEED limits on several main roads in Ballarat have changed, with reductions of 10km\/h and 20km\/h taking effect on Monday. Among the most significant is a reduction from 70km\/h to 60km\/h on a 2.4-kilometre section of Sturt Street in Alfredton, from Pleasant Street to Learmonth Street, which passes four secondary schools. Other changes are on […]<\/p>\n