Found this
The logical extension of this continued reduction in spreed limits is not to have cars move at all. BUT even then Im sure ther would be pedestrians that would walk into a stationary car.
“The speed change decision was made following six crashes in the area between 2015 and 2020, which five involved pedestrians”
No details of how or why these crashes took place or weather speed of the vehicles was the main factor. Or were the vehicles exceeding the then speed limit.
“It’s expected the slower pace has increased safety for pedestrians, with almost 80 per cent of pedestrian fatalities and serious injury crashes on Victorian roads occurring within speed limits of 60km/h or lower.”
Based on this logic all speed limits should be increased to over 60 km/hr as that would mean that 80% of pedestrian fatalities would be eliminated.
Based on a quote from one person, “Holli-May from Miss Spelts said, “There are a lot of pedestrians, so I think it’s a good thing…If they slow down it gives people the opportunity to see shops from their cars.”
I get the impression that Holli-May does not realize that drivers are not supposed to be looking at shop whilst driving.
That could be the reason that the 5 crashes involving pedestrians occurred.
From a political point of view the simplest thing to do is to provide the perception that something is being done about road safety, is to reduce speed limits. The reality is that over time, speed has become a less significant as a factor in road fatalities. But historic perception comes across better than reality.