A UNSW Canberra study has found that young drivers struggle to comply with speed limits, but a driver-training re-think could help fix things.
The ACT Government should consider implementing 30km/h speed limits in several high-risk areas across Canberra, according to new research from UNSW Canberra into the speeding behaviour of young people.
The study revealed speeding was prevalent in low-speed zones across the territory, particularly among young drivers, and offered a suite of recommendations to improve road safety and speed compliance.
Led by Dr Oleksandra Molloy, the two-stage project examined both self-reported and actual speeding behaviour across a range of speed limit zones. The research also explored the potential for cognitive-based training to promote safer driving habits.
“Our findings show that while drivers generally understand the safety benefits of reduced speed limits, compliance - especially in lower speed zones - remains poor,” Dr Molloy said.
“This presents a clear opportunity for targeted interventions and policy reform to improve road safety.”
The first stage of the project involved an online survey to assess drivers’ perceptions of low-speed zones and their speeding behaviour. It found more than 70% of participants reported speeding, most commonly in 40km/h and 50km/h zones. Common reasons provided for speeding included being in a rush, peer pressure, unclear signage, and road design that encouraged higher speeds.
Stage two used a driving simulator to objectively measure young drivers’ speed compliance. Forty participants completed a simulated drive through various speed zones. After an initial attempt, half the participants received cognitive-based training that included feedback on performance, safety, and financial implications.
“The simulator allowed us to observe real-time behaviour in a controlled setting,” Dr Molloy explained.
“We observed participants from both groups consistently exceeded the posted speed limit, however, those who received the intervention reduced their speed by up to 3km/h on average.
“This highlights the effect that cognitive-based interventions could have on reducing speeding if included in driver training.”
The researchers made a series of recommendations to the ACT Government about how to reduce the risks associated with speeding. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and transport authorities seeking to improve speed management and enhance road safety in urban environments.
Central among these is an on-road trial of 30km/h speed limits in high-risk areas, namely areas with increased pedestrian and cyclist activity, school zones, around hospitals and aged care facilities, and in town centres.
Specific suburbs that were suggested could benefit from the implementation of 30km/h zones were: Civic, Braddon, Dickson, Kingston, Forrest, Coombs, Turner, Campbell, and Amaroo. Some suggested streets and areas were: City Walk, London Circuit, Theatre Lane, Cooyong Street, Lonsdale Street, Northbourne Avenue near Reid and Civic, Kingsley Road, and Russell Offices.
However, the report suggested trials would need to be coupled with extensive education campaigns and driver training with a focus on speeding behaviour, as 80% of Canberrans did not believe that introducing the 30km/h speed zones alone would be effective. Moreover, they believed it could lead to increased non-compliance in the low-speed zones.
Additionally, the report recommended road engineering improvements such as clearer road signs and road markings and utilising narrower roads in low-speed settings and wider roads for higher-speed areas. Increased speeding fines for repeat offenders and rewards for safe driving, potentially through car insurance benefits, were also welcomed by those surveyed.
Dr Molloy said that raising awareness about the effective implementation of 30km/h zones overseas and the real safety improvements this made in locations with high pedestrian and cyclist activities could be a useful way to help convince Canberrans.
“Reducing speed limits alone may not guarantee improvement in speeding by the ACT’s young drivers,” Dr Molloy said.
“However, if we are seriously aiming to reduce road-related injuries and fatalities among young drivers, we need a combined strategy that includes education, enforcement, and engineering solutions to support safer driving.
“This research provides a roadmap for improving road safety in the ACT and by following the recommendations we can create safer streets for all road users - especially the most vulnerable.”
The ACT Government welcomed the research and its findings, which were made possible through the support of the Road Safety Fund grant program.
“We are currently trialling new measures to create a safer environment for active travel users,” a government spokesperson said.
“This includes through the Sherbrooke Street Active travel street project in Ainslie. The proposed active travel street would provide a more attractive and safer walking and cycling environment by creating a slow-speed environment for vehicles and upgrading supporting elements such as lighting and connections to the broader path network.
“The insights gained from this project, alongside the outcomes of this research, will play a key role in shaping the next ACT Road Safety Strategy and guiding our commitment to achieving Vision Zero.”