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Keeping Australian roads safe remotely

October 13, 2020

Statements

  • Each year, speed is one of the leading contributors to road accidents in Australia.
  • AS 5156:2020 Electronic speed limit signs specifies requirements for the design, construction and performance of electronic speed limit signs.
  • The publication comes as COVID-19 border restrictions are lifting across the country and individuals and families are hitting the road again.

It is estimated speed is a direct factor in around 30% of all road accidents in Australia [1]. With COVID-19 restrictions lifting and individuals eager to start travel again, speed limit signage is part of the broader aim of keeping motorists safe.

“Through the use of standards, our priority is protecting the Australian community. With speed being such a high contributor to accidents, it is important electronic speed limit signs consistently perform and can be adjusted depending on the road conditions,” said Roland Terry-Lloyd, Head of Standards Development at Standards Australia.

The recently published, AS 5156:2020 Electronic speed limit signs outlines requirements for the design, construction and performance of electronic speed signs, including the use of LEDs when changing the speed remotely.

“This standard is key to informing motorists not only of the speed limit but when the red ring of LEDs flashes it warns motorists that the speed limit is different from normal. Being able to remotely change the limit means if there is an accident or extreme weather the signs can be easily adjusted,” said Peter Aldridge, Chair of the Committee responsible for the standard.

“As individuals and families get back in their cars and increase their travels in the busy period of the year, we hope this standard supports the ongoing effort to keep roads across the nation safe,” concluded Mr. Terry-Lloyd.

[1] https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/research/speeding-statistics-australia.html#:~:text=Speeding%20is%20one%20of%20the,1%2C195%20road%20deaths%20in%20Australia.

Contact
Communications Department
Keeping Australian roads safe remotely
Email and link here
A digital road sign displays the number 30 within a red circle and the words "SLOW DOWN" in white below, set against a background of green foliage.
  • Each year, speed is one of the leading contributors to road accidents in Australia.
  • AS 5156:2020 Electronic speed limit signs specifies requirements for the design, construction and performance of electronic speed limit signs.
  • The publication comes as COVID-19 border restrictions are lifting across the country and individuals and families are hitting the road again.

It is estimated speed is a direct factor in around 30% of all road accidents in Australia [1]. With COVID-19 restrictions lifting and individuals eager to start travel again, speed limit signage is part of the broader aim of keeping motorists safe.

“Through the use of standards, our priority is protecting the Australian community. With speed being such a high contributor to accidents, it is important electronic speed limit signs consistently perform and can be adjusted depending on the road conditions,” said Roland Terry-Lloyd, Head of Standards Development at Standards Australia.

The recently published, AS 5156:2020 Electronic speed limit signs outlines requirements for the design, construction and performance of electronic speed signs, including the use of LEDs when changing the speed remotely.

“This standard is key to informing motorists not only of the speed limit but when the red ring of LEDs flashes it warns motorists that the speed limit is different from normal. Being able to remotely change the limit means if there is an accident or extreme weather the signs can be easily adjusted,” said Peter Aldridge, Chair of the Committee responsible for the standard.

“As individuals and families get back in their cars and increase their travels in the busy period of the year, we hope this standard supports the ongoing effort to keep roads across the nation safe,” concluded Mr. Terry-Lloyd.

[1] https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/research/speeding-statistics-australia.html#:~:text=Speeding%20is%20one%20of%20the,1%2C195%20road%20deaths%20in%20Australia.

Contact
Communications Department
communications@standards.org.au
communications@standards.org.au
Sarah Campbell
Sarah Campbell
Communications Manager
+ 61 2 8099 6487