Police back speed reduction

Sergeant David Ball said police would support a reduction in the speed limit in residential areas around WA.

Vincent recently asked Main Roads WA to reduce the speed on Bulwer and Oxford streets to 40km/h to make the roads safer for cyclists and students at nearby schools.

"From a policing point of view, reducing the speed limit in a residential area is good for safety," Sgt Ball said. "However, I could think of other roads and areas in Perth that could do with a reduction in speed limit before Bulwer and Oxford streets."

At its meeting last Tuesday, councillors supported Mayor John Carey's motion to complete a survey that would gauge the community's desire to reduce the speed across all Vincent roads. The council will receive a report on the survey results after six weeks.

Mr Carey said the council relied on police information about speeding and was in regular contact through the Safer Vincent Committee.

"There will always be people who don't stick to the speed limits," he said.

"But it's about setting a culture on our roads; we need a cultural shift."

Speed limits in Perth and Northbridge were reduced to 40km/h in 2011 to make the city more pedestrian-friendly.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the response to the change was positive.

"Ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers in busy city areas and nightspots is a priority for the City of Perth," Ms Scaffidi said. "More than three years since the introduction of 40km/h zones, it has become part of daily life for motorists, with the added advantage of reducing injury and death to people in motor vehicle crashes."