The ACT Government is committed to making our roads safe for all users.
40 km/hr zones
The ACT Government has introduced 40 km/hr speed limits in areas of high pedestrian and cyclist activity to improve safety for all road users.
These speed limits are in effect at the town centres in Belconnen, City/Braddon, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden. They are also in effect at a number of group centres including Amaroo, Calwell, Casey, Charnwood, Chisholm, Conder, Curtin, Dickson, Erindale, Hawker, Jamison, Kaleen, Kambah, Kingston, Kingston Foreshore, Kippax, Manuka, Mawson, Wanniassa and Weston.
School zones are 40km/hr between the hours of 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. For more information see Traffic management in schools.
Research shows that the introduction of a 40km/h area significantly reduces the risk of death for vulnerable road users. A 10km/h decrease in speed can reduce the risk of death from approximately 80% (50km/h) to 30% (40km/h).
Road markings
Chevrons
A series of road markings are being trialled along a 1.8 kilometre section of the Tuggeranong Parkway to promote safer driving distances between vehicles and reduce tailgating. The markings are found between Hindmarsh Drive and Sulwood Drive (southbound) and Cotter Road and Lady Denman Drive (northbound).
Shared lanes
‘Sharrows’, which feature a bicycle logo with two chevrons above it, are painted on streets in Denman Prospect with low traffic volumes and no on-road cycle lanes. Sharrows improve road safety by positioning cyclists away from parked cars, alerting drivers to expect people cycling, and making it easier for cyclers to follow the route.
Smiley face speed detection signs
Speed detection signs are regularly rotated between 23 sites across Canberra to remind motorists to watch their speeds, slow down and drive safely. During the trial of the signs, it was found they reduced travelling speeds by up to 12km/h. Speed data from the signs continues to be assessed weekly to determine their effectiveness and identify an optimum duration for the signs to have a positive change in driver behaviour.
Find out more
