Local council proposes 0km/h speed limit to reduce road toll – UPDATE

UPDATE 1-April-2023 12.00pm - Happy April Fools Day! While we know this is a joke today, we're sure it's not too far from a possible truth in the future. Let's just hope it is managed with adequate planning!

One Australian council says it has come up with the solution to the road toll in its region: 0km/h speed limits.

The Manningside Regional Council says banning cars and trucks is impractical, but will soon begin a second round of trials with a speed limit reduction.

"Our pilot trial found that reducing the speed limit from 50 to zero kilometres-per-hour resulted in a 97 per cent reduction in the road toll within our council area," Mayor Karen Smithee told Drive.

"We make no apologies for putting our residents' wellbeing ahead of the wants and needs of local hoons."

While the Federal Government mandates the Australian Design Rules for new cars, and state governments set rules for which cars can (and cannot) be registered, local councils set speed limits for all local roads – excluding freeways.

"Manningside welcomes tourists via the freeway, but we ask them to respect our local speed limits when they enter our towns," Mayor Smithee said. "It may add a bit of extra time to your journey, but that's a small inconvenience for the protection of everyone."

School zones will continue to operate at a lower speed limit during school times, a council spokesperson confirmed.

The council is expected to announce further details of its trial at 12pm today, and this article will be updated at that time.