Renewed push to reduce speed limits to 30km/h in Brisbane CBD

A proposal to lower speed limits in the Brisbane CBD to 30km/h has renewed support this morning with Labor councillors pushing for a year-long trial.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quick has indicated council will conduct a city-wide safety review in an effort to try to stop serious and fatal accidents.

Sixteen pedestrians and cyclists were killed in a recent six-month period on Queensland roads.

Pedestrians have been criticised for ignoring designated crossings, disregarding warnings signals and simply not paying attention, with heads buried in smartphones a familiar site at CBD intersections.

Harold Scruby from the Pedestrian Council wants 30km/h zones around shopping and entertainment precincts, even if it does increase gridlock.

But he concedes if speeds are reduced, pedestrians must also do their bit or face “a minimum $200 fine for crossing the road while distracted”.

“We’ve got to find ways to minimise the harm our roads. We were here first, pedestrians were here first,” Mr Scruby said.

The RACQ said new speed limits would only confuse motorists, with three different speed zones already in place across the CBD.

There are already two 30km/h zones operational on the Gold Coast, in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

According to Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, they’ve been well received.

“So far I haven’t had anyone come back and go, ‘oh make it faster will you?’” Cr Tate said.