SHOCKING footage of two young girls being hit by a car in a neighbourhood in Penrith last week is yet another reason why we should consider lowering the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h on suburban streets in NSW.
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Reducing the speed limit will not only reduce the risk of a child being hit by a car, but it will also serve as a reminder to drivers to take greater care when driving through the suburbs. According to Transport for NSW, if a pedestrian is hit by a car travelling at 50km/h, it is twice as likely to cause a fatality as the same vehicle going 10km/h slower.
Young children have limited judgement, making it hard for them to know where or when it is safe to cross the road. Lowering the speed limit will give drivers more time to react. Driving a bit slower in a suburban area seems a small price to pay.
Genevieve Henderson
Slater & Gordon
