New studies are showing cars are consistently speeding through suburban streets in Canberra while traffic loads on residential streets are above acceptable levels, with "rat running" a likely contributor.
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Speeding, excessive traffic volumes, dangerous intersections, driveway safety, parking problems and “rat running” - where motorists use residential roads to avoid delays or other issues on main roads - have been raised in the studies.
The ACT Government has commissioned the studies and sought community feedback to improve road safety across four different areas of the national capital.
The studies are being done in Macarthur, Fadden and Gowrie and also Chisholm, Richardson and Gilmore.
Another study is being done for Streeton Drive in Weston Creek and a fourth for Messenger Street, Trickett Street and Beaurepaire Crescent in Holt.
Roads ACT senior manager in traffic management and safety Rifaat Shoukrallah said at least 15 per cent of the traffic was guaranteed to be speeding.
"There is certainly evidence of speeding and it's not just one car doing doughnuts in the area. There's a fair amount," he said.
The community was consulted last year on problems being experienced on suburban streets.
Potential remedies have included roundabouts, speed cushions and raised intersections.
Mr Shoukrallah said a masterplan was in place to improve road safety but not everything identified on the plan would be implemented immediately.
"This is a masterplan of proposals. We expect people to come back and tell us whether they support us or not and also tell us what their priorities are," he said.
A drop-in consultation session will be held from 4.30pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday at Gowrie Primary School to discuss proposed improvements to residential streets in Macarthur, Fadden and Gowrie.
Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury will attend part of the session.
A drop-in consultation session will also be held on Thursday from 4.30pm to 7pm at Caroline Chisholm School (junior campus) for a study into traffic conditions in Chisholm, Richardson and Gilmore.
A public display and information session will be held at Chapman Primary School on March 21 from 4pm to 7pm to discuss Streeton Drive. A similar session for the Holt roads will be held at Raiders Belconnen on March 18 from 6pm to 8pm.
Newsletters and surveys have also been sent to residents living in each of the suburbs where the studies are taking place. Consultation closes for each study at 5pm on Friday, April 12. People can also contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 for more information. More details also at www.timetotalk.act.gov.au.
