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Safer speeds
As part of the Transport Strategy 2030, we're reducing speed limits across the municipality to make our streets safer for everyone. Lower speeds mean shorter stopping distances and more time to react, helping prevent crashes and protect all road users.
Always check the signs when you drive and follow the speed limit.
40km/h speed limits
We’re working with the Department of Transport and Planning to achieve a consistent maximum speed limit of 40 km/h on local roads across inner Melbourne and neighbouring areas.
Did you know?
A person hit by a car travelling 40km/h is six times more likely to survive than if the car was travelling at 50km/h.
Source: Victoria Government Road Safety Partners (2023). Submission to Victorian Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee Inquiry into the impact of road safety behaviours on vulnerable road users.
What's coming up?
As of 16 June 2025, 40km/h speed limits have been introduced in the following neighbourhoods:
- Carlton (all local streets in the neighbourhood)
- Parkville and Princes Hill:
- Princes Park Drive between College Crescent and Macpherson Street
- The Avenue between Macarthur Road and Park Street
- Garton Street
- Bowen Crescent
- Leonard Street
- Walker Street
- Levers Street
- Pasley Street and Pasley Street South in South Yarra.
You can view the maps below to see exactly where speeds will change.
40km/h speed limits have already been implemented in the following areas:
- North and West Melbourne (2023)
- East Melbourne and Jolimont (2022)
- Domain Parklands (2017)
- South Yarra (2017)
- Hoddle Grid (2014)
- Parkville (2013)
20km/h speed limits - Little streets
From July 2024, the trial shared zone from our Little streets was removed and a 20 km/h speed limit was introduced on all one-way sections of Flinders Lane, Little Collins Street, Little Bourke Street, Little Lonsdale Street and Little La Trobe Street.
30 km/h speed limits
Swanston Street through the central city will remain 30 km/h for permitted vehicles. There are some other zones with lower speed limits.
Support and compliance
The speed limits are supported by Victoria Police, VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission. Victoria Police is responsible for ensuring compliance with speed limits. If you would like to request a review of a fine, you can do so through Fines Victoria External link.
Road safety
Our initiatives include infrastructure, such as bike lanes and wider footpaths, as well as the introduction of a 40 km/h speed limit across the central city. We also run education campaigns and raise awareness of car-dooring, pedestrian distraction, and driver and bike riding etiquette.
Horse-drawn vehicles prohibited from Hoddle Grid
From July 2022, it is an offence under the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 External link for a horse-drawn vehicle to ride on all roads and paths within the area bound by Flinders, Spring, La Trobe and Spencer streets. Removing these vehicles from our busiest streets makes it safer for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and trams, while also protecting the welfare of horses.
Safety around school crossings
With 17 schools in the City of Melbourne, it’s important that we all play our part in slowing down and staying below the required 40km per hour in school zones. When parking in a school area, avoid parking 20 metres in front of, or 10 metres behind, a school crossing while the flags are displayed, unless otherwise signed.
The City of Melbourne monitors school crossings to ensure the safety of pedestrians and students attending schools within the municipality. School crossing supervisors are allocated to schools on a needs basis. Supervisors are predominantly funded by the City of Melbourne, with some funding from the Department of Transport.
Improving pedestrian safety in Sturt Street
A new 40km per hour School Speed Zone will be introduced in Sturt Street, Southbank, between Kings Way and Grant Street. The new speed limit will apply between 8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm on school days. The new zone is designed to improve safety for students of the Victoria College of the Arts Secondary School when accessing the nearby tram stop in Sturt Street. This project has been developed in consultation with VicRoads, Yarra Trams, Victoria Police and the school.
