Speed limit lowered at high crash zone

Published 31 May 2024

City of Moreton Bay is improving safety for motorists along a dangerous stretch of hinterland road between Dayboro and Closeburn by reducing its speed limit.

Mount Samson Road will have its speed limit reduced from 100km/h to 90km/h over a 14km stretch between the North Pine River at Dayboro and Broads Road, Closeburn, starting 28 June.

Mayor Peter Flannery said the change comes after a high number of injury-causing crashes were recorded by police on that stretch of road over a five-year period between 2018 and 2023.

“Mount Samson Road has earned itself the unwanted title of being one of the more dangerous roads in City of Moreton Bay since 2018,” he said. “We’ve seen 20 injury-causing crashes along this 14km stretch between the North Pine River at Dayboro and Broads Road, Closeburn, identifying a critical area of concern.

“We understand that reducing speed limits is sometimes an unpopular option, but we are unapologetic about this change if it saves even one life. “The pain caused by losing a loved one in a totally preventable road crash far outweighs the pain of extending your trip by a few extra seconds.

“Decreasing the speed limit by just 10km/h can lead to a significant 30% decrease in the likelihood of serious crashes according to national research. “The adjustment in travel speed only adds 23 seconds to the 14km section of Mount Samson Road journey, so it’s a very small price to pay for safety.

“Establishing suitable speed limits in collaboration with Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) across Moreton Bay is an effective way Council can help keep our roads safer.”

Councillor Darren Grimwade (Div 11) said Council would undertake the speed limit reduction from 100km/h to 90km/h in response to community concerns. “In addition to the speed limit reduction, Council will be undertaking additional road safety measures on Mount Samson Road in the future” said Councillor Darren Grimwade (Div 11)

“We will be commissioning an independent road safety audit to guide further safety improvements along the route with a view to delivering the recommendations as part of Council’s capital works program.

“Speed limit reviews in Queensland are undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the State Government’s speed management guidelines and are reviewed and endorsed by TMR and QPS prior to implementation”

Improving road safety and reducing the severity of crashes on Council roads is a strategic priority of City of Moreton Bay’s Integrated Transport Strategy.

For further information regarding this speed limit reduction, please contact Council’s Integrated Transport Planning & Design team via InfrastructurePlanning@moretonbay.qld.gov.au