The state’s peak motoring body has criticised Brisbane City Council’s decision to reduce speeds at shopping centres, saying it might not save a single person.
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On Wednesday, the council said it would install 40km/h safety zones in dozens of suburban precincts with shops and cafes to reduce the number of crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.
RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said the council’s decision was concerning.
“No evidence had been released to support lowering speeds on major roads around suburban shopping centres,” he said.
“This is a knee-jerk reaction by BCC because we haven’t seen any evidence on which roads have been chosen and why.
“It seems to be a quick and cheap solution to a complex problem, and not necessarily the right one.”
Oxley Road at Corinda and Old Cleveland Road at Stones Corner would be the first locations to have the new safety zones implemented.
Lord mayor Graham Quirk said the zones would be "prioritised in areas where traffic-light pedestrian crossings are not viable, or where people are attempting to cross the road dangerously, without pedestrian crossings".
“Evidence suggests that just as in the city, pedestrian incidents in the suburbs were also largely due to inattention and impatience, with pedestrians walking out in front of vehicles," Cr Quirk said.
Mr Turner said the council did not consult with motoring groups on the proposed change.
“We’re really concerned with the lack of consultation on such a big change,” he said.
“BCC seems to be jumping on the bandwagon on changing a few speed signs without actually stopping to look at the cause and effect.”
Cr Quirk said the council would consult with "potential affected shopping areas" about changes, with the zones to operate around the clock.
Opposition councillor Jared Cassidy said it was important to have a debate over the lowering of speed limits at suburban shopping centres.
“The research is clear, I don't accept what RACQ is saying for a minute,” he said.
“If you lower speed limits in some of these village areas from 50-60km/h to 40km/h the rate of accidents decrease significantly and more importantly the rate of injury and death.”
Mr Turner said if the council was serious about pedestrian and cyclist safety, it needed to do more than put up a few signs and should be prepared to stump up money.
“It’s far better to prevent the incident in the first place than to have it occur at a lower speed,” he said.
