Vehicle speeds in South Australia 2016

Abstract

A systematic and ongoing method of measuring vehicle speeds was introduced in South Australia in 2007 in order to assess the effects of speed reduction countermeasures and to monitor the speed behaviour of South Australian motorists over time. More than 100 sites around South Australia have speed measurements taken for a one week period at the same time each year. This Report summarises the data collected in 2016 and makes comparisons with previous surveys and partial surveys dating back to 2002. Vehicle speeds on South Australian 50 km/h roads were essentially unchanged in 2016 compared to 2015 apart from an apparent increase in the proportion of vehicles travelling above 65 km/h on Adelaide local roads. There has been a general downward trend in speeds on those roads since 2002 (although it is more pronounced in Adelaide than in rural areas). Vehicle speeds on Adelaide 60 km/h roads were lower in 2016 compared to 2015 continuing a large historical reduction in speeds on those roads. Vehicle speeds on rural hills 80 km/h roads were essentially unchanged in 2016 compared to 2015 ending a three year downward trend in speeds on those roads starting in 2013. Vehicle speeds on 100 and 110 km/h rural roads were essentially unchanged in 2016 compared to 2015 with both these road types showing very little change since surveys on them began in 2006 (although examination of the upper end speeds suggests that high end speeds are becoming less common on these roads over time).