Improve Pedestrian Safety on Dover Road Rose Bay

We, the residents of Woollahra, petition the NSW Minister for Transport and Woollahra Council to reduce the speed limit on Dover Road, Rose Bay to 25 km/h and prioritize pedestrian safety by introducing traffic calming measures. Dover Road is heavily used by large vehicles and fast-moving cars, posing significant risks to pedestrians.

See link for data referred to in this petition references "Attachment 1" of the Traffic Committee Agenda for Woollahra Council of 2 July 2024, which includes traffic data collected on Dover Road, near Ian Street in March 2023.

Why Dover Road Needs a Safer Speed Limit
1. Improve Pedestrian Safety
Dover Road is a wide, straight road that serves as a pedestrian link between two major shopping hubs in Rose Bay, intersecting at both ends: 1. Old South Head Road, home to shops like Bunnings and Harris Farm, and 2. New South Head Road, which includes shops along Dover Road. It also provides convenient walking access for families with dogs from nearby residential streets to Rose Bay Beach.

2. Lower speeding over the limit
Being a wide straight road also encourages cars to speed. Data from the March 2023 traffic survey shows that 15% of vehicles exceed the speed limit, with some reaching 97 km/h, nearly double the limit. At these speeds, drivers have less time to react to pedestrians. Lowering the limit to 25 km/h will give drivers more time to stop, reducing the risk of accidents.

5. Risk due to presence of Heavy Vehicle Traffic
The March 2023 survey indicates approximately 1,600 large vehicles (including trucks and buses) were recorded on Dover Road in one week. These vehicles take longer to stop, especially at high speeds, posing a greater risk to pedestrians near schools, shops, and retail areas.

6. Slower Speeds Will Reduce Accidents
Slower speeds will help reduce the high number of recorded accidents on Dover Road and surrounding streets. Serious injuries have been recorded due to accidents on Dover Road and at intersections, including Old South Head Road and Dover Road and New South Head Road and Dover Road, highlighting the need for urgent safety measures.
3. Most Vehicles Already Travel Close to 25 km/h
The March survey shows that 50% of vehicles on Dover Road already travel at approx. 19km/h and 85% at approx. 28km/h or under. Lowering the speed limit to 25 km/h aligns with current driving behaviour and reinforces consistency and compliance.

4. Improved Traffic Flow Reduces Pollution, Wear and Tear
Smoother traffic speeds and minimized stop-and-go movement helps reduce the rate of deterioration on roads. This leads to lower maintenance costs and longer-lasting road surfaces. Better traffic flow also improves fuel efficiency, lowers pollution and increases air quality.