Published on Friday, 14 February 2025 at 10:03:00 AM
The Shire of Quairading is pleased to announce the installation of vehicle activated speed signs on the Merredin – York Road (Jennaberring Road), the main east-west thoroughfare in the centre of town. This initiative aims to reduce speeding and enhance road safety within the Quairading townsite.
Recent traffic monitoring revealed that at least 25% of vehicles were exceeding the 50km/h speed limit. To address this issue, a trial period for the speed signs ran from 23 October to 4 December, coinciding with the busy harvest period.
Vehicle activated speed signs were strategically placed to remind drivers of the speed limit and provide real-time feedback on their speed. Throughout the trial, traffic counters were also used to collect data on vehicle speeds to evaluate the effectiveness of the speed signs.
By reducing travel speeds, the Shire aims to save lives and prevent injuries. Additionally, this initiative is expected to bring several area-wide benefits, including decreased traffic volumes on local roads, an enhanced environment for pedestrians and cyclists, increased accessibility, and encouragement of walking and other sustainable transport modes. It will also reduce vehicle noise, acceleration, and deceleration of vehicles.
Vehicle activated signs are proven to be effective in reminding drivers of speed limits and providing feedback on their speed. Studies suggest these devices are most effective when speed limits are also reduced, though their long-term effectiveness remains to be fully understood.
At the end of the trial period, a comprehensive review of the traffic counter data will be conducted to assess the impact of the speed signs on driver behaviour and road safety.
The Shire looks forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative on the community. Stay safe and drive responsibly!
Article photo: Sarah Caporn, Executive manager of works and services and Jason Mashford Works supervisor, Shire of Quairading with one of the newly installed signs.
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