SHOCKING footage of two young girls being hit by a car in a neighbourhood in Penrith is yet another reason why we should consider lowering the speed limit from 50 kilometres an hour to 40 kmh 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 NSW, if a pedestrian is hit by a car travelling at 50kmh, it is twice as likely to cause a fatality as the same vehicle going 10kmh slower.
Young children have limited judgement, making it hard for them to know where or when it is safe to cross the road.
They cannot gauge the speed of oncoming traffic and can be impulsive and lose concentration easily.
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, so let's do all we can as motorists to reduce the risk.
Genevieve Henderson
Slater & Gordon
