SIGNS are to be erected in Bridgetown’s busy Hampton Street shopping precinct warning vehicles of the need to slow down and drive carefully.

Last month Cr William Moyes put a proposal to the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire Council that it try to cut down the risks of an accident in the shopping area.

A 50-tonne truck travelling at 50 kilometres an hour represented a real risk to all users of Hampton Street. vehicular and pedestrian, he pointed out.

“A precedent has been set in Perth recently supporting the approach of reducing speed limits, thereby improving safety,” he said

“In my opinion, all the perceived benefits of the Hampton Street upgrades will amount to little or no benefit to public safety, but a 20 per cent reduction in speed will undoubtedly make it easier for vehicles to stop in an emergency.”

Cr Moyes said the appropriate speed for vehicles on Hampton Street during busy shopping hours was closer to 25kmh rather than 50kmh.

He proposed asking the Main Roads Department to erect appropriate signs to encourage motorists to drive responsibly through the shopping precinct.

The council officer’s report stated that anecdotal evidence indicated most drivers on Hampton Street during shopping hours recognised the need to slow down.

But erecting the proposed signs would help educate drivers about the risks ahead and increase the safety.

The motion was carried 9/2.