Blue Mountains News

Transport for NSW data shows that in the five years between 2019 and 2023, 29 per cent of all casualty crashes in the Blue Mountains involved speeding. Twenty-six per cent of crashes occur on local roads.

Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill, said: “Going into the Christmas holiday period, with families travelling to and from events and celebrations, we need to be particularly mindful of safety on our roads.

“There is no such thing as safe speeding. Regardless of how good a driver you are, speed alone increases both the likelihood and severity of a crash. 

“The faster you travel, the longer it takes to stop. Travelling at just 5km over the speed limit in good weather conditions can put you, your passengers, pedestrians and other road users at increased risk. Add adverse weather conditions into the mix and the impact of a crash is more severe.

“Speed remains the highest identifiable behavioural factor in crashes on Blue Mountains roads. Reducing your speed on local roads means you’re doing your bit to save local lives.”

According to the NSW Centre for Road Safety, even small reductions in speed can make a difference.

It takes approximately 38 metres to stop when driving at 50 km/h, but at 60 km/h that distance increases significantly to up to 58 metres. Small differences in impact speed make a large difference to the probability of serious injury, particularly on residential streets. 

Driving to conditions and maintaining slower speeds improves a driver’s ability to stop and avoid crashes, especially in residential areas. If crashes do occur, they are less severe, especially for vulnerable pedestrians and passengers such as children and older people.

Police will be targeting speeding on local streets during the campaign. Demerit points and fines will be issued to any motorist caught speeding. Double demerits run from 20 December 2024 to midnight on 1 January 2025, and 24 January 2025 to 27 January 2025.

‘Slow Down in My Street’ stickers are available to residents. Council is asking residents to apply the sticker to their waste bin as an ongoing reminder for motorists to slow down in our local streets.

Residents interested in playing their part in encouraging slower speeds and safe driving behaviour can request a bin sticker for their Council waste bin by emailing:%99%147%229%174%192%182%173%224%184%206%218%165%132%141%175%202%155%134%215%209%235%129%195%230%135

‘Slow Down in My Street’ is jointly funded by Transport for NSW and Blue Mountains City Council, with enforcement support from Blue Mountains Police Area Command to make our local streets safer for everyone.