Work has started this week on installing new smiley face speed indicator signs at high-risk school zones across Western Australia. The signs are part of the State Government’s $80 million Road Safety Reform Package.
School zones are frequented by some of our most vulnerable road users, with children and families walking, riding and being dropped to school each weekday. During the first week of school, WA Police detected 2,700 drivers speeding in school zones during a statewide enforcement blitz.
The Road Safety Commission is installing a total of 100 speed indicator signs that will be rolled out progressively this year. The signs are designed to encourage drivers to slow down and improve safety around schools.
The first two signs were installed on Pearson Street near Hale Road to support students at Churchlands Senior High School and other surrounding schools.
Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said it was critical that drivers slow down and pay attention when approaching a school zone.
“School zones should be one of the safest places on our roads, but the results of a recent police crackdown are alarming with far too many drivers ignoring the 40km/h limit,” he said.
“These speed indicator devices provide an instant visual reminder to drivers, because we know that even a small reduction in speed can make a big difference in saving a child’s life.
”These devices are solar powered, portable and we know that most people respond to them positively. They are another set of tools in our broad safety camera program which is focussed on education and encouragement and not just enforcement. In this case the smiley face is all about providing immediate feedback to drivers to help drive home our road safety message around school zones.
“We have prioritised sites based on a risk assessment and will be monitoring speeds to assess the impact on driver behaviour.”
How do the speed indicator signs work?
The signs provide instant feedback to drivers. If a vehicle is travelling over the speed limit, a warning appears. If the driver is within the limit, a green smiley face is displayed. Studies show these warnings prompt speeding drivers to slow down in 80 per cent of cases.
In addition to encouraging safer driving, the devices collect real-time speed data to help improve future road safety planning.
Funded by the Road Trauma Trust Account
The Road Safety Reform Package is funded through the Road Trauma Trust Account, that sees 100 per cent of safety camera fines spent on projects that save lives and reduce trauma on WA roads.
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