Traffic management & road safety
Council works to balance traffic efficiency with road safety. Our traffic engineers assess road issues and traffic calming requests, review road safety, assess speed limits, process temporary road closure approvals, and upgrade bus stops and pedestrian crossings.
Council's Road Safety, Traffic and Transport Advisory Committee assesses transport and traffic issues and implements safety strategies.
Report road safety issues, make a request for traffic calming, or request a speed limit review
Call Council on 1300 69 22 47 or make an online customer request.
Before reporting a road-related issue, please use the Queensland Government's 'Road look-up' to make sure you are directing your request to the right team.
Any issues found on Queensland Government roads should be reported to the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 19 40.
Traffic calming
Traffic calming measures can be used to reduce problem issues on local and suburban streets. Changing the design of a road, however, does have limitations. In many cases where speed or hooning is the issue, the real problem is driver behaviour. This is best addressed through law enforcement, not changing the road design.
Not all streets are suitable for traffic calming and it is expensive to install. Traffic calming can also create additional noise, disrupt the flow of traffic, and may simply redirect the problem (speeding drivers) to nearby streets.
Council does set an amount in its yearly budget for traffic calming and the number of projects completed depends on available funding.
When Council receives a request for new traffic calming, it uses an objective method to assess and prioritise traffic calming requests by evaluating 10 key weighted criteria. These criteria include traffic volume, type and speed, the street's accident history (using Police records), road type, the level and nature of pedestrian activity, bus routes and road geometry.
If, after these assessments, the street is considered suitable, officers consider the best type of calming device, produce a detailed design and inform local residents. A submission is then made to Council to seek the necessary funding.
Road safety
Suburban residential streets in the Cairns region are 50km/h, unless signposted.
Most schools in the Cairns Local Government Area have a designated 40km/h speed zone for 1.5 hours in the morning (7.30am to 9.00am) and 1 hour in the afternoon (2.30pm to 3.30pm). There are exceptions, however, so keep an eye on the signs.
Council follows guidelines for assessing and changing speed limits on Council-owned roads. In Queensland, speed limits are set under the Transport Operations (Road Use management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009 and the review process is specified under the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
We are very proud of our cycling culture in Cairns and are committed to expanding our cycling and walking network. Whether you ride on two wheels, four or more, we all need to get along and share the road safely.
If you are riding a bicycle
When you ride a bicycle, it is important to remember you must obey the general road rules, the same as other motorists, as well as the specific road rules for bicycle riders.
- Be considerate of drivers when choosing to cycle two abreast. Indicate clearly and make sure you are clearly visible
- Ride predictably
- Use hand signals
- Obey the road rules. Rules apply to everyone not just drivers
- You can ride across zebra crossings, but make sure you stop and it’s safe to do so
- You can ride on a single lane roundabout like any other road user
Head to the bicycle road rules and safety page on the Department of Transport and Main Road's website for more information.
If you are a driver
- Give cyclists space – at least 1 metre at 60km/hr or less, and 1.5 metres over 60km/hr
- Give way to cyclists and indicate
- Brake and wait until it is safe to pass a cyclist
- Look before opening your car door
Schools are encouraged to establish a Safe School Travel (SafeST) Committee, which can help a school community identify road safety concerns and become an integral part of a school's safe travel strategy.
Further information about SafeST committees can be found on the Department of Transport and Mains Roads website.
Council is progressively introducing new treatments and road signage for single and multi-lane roundabouts to improve safety for all road users. Roundabout upgrades are prioritised based on crash history, vehicle volumes, number of heavy vehicles and cycle routes. Any new roundabouts will be marked and signed accordingly at the time of construction.
Single lane roundabouts
When approaching a single lane roundabout, cyclists are encouraged to take the lane. This is the preferred option. By taking a lane, motorists at these roundabouts are more aware of cyclists. You will notice the approach speed is reduced to 30km, bike and arrow symbols will direct cyclists into the traffic lane on the roundabout and “watch for cyclists” signs will be installed.
Drivers and cyclists are governed by the same road laws. When lines of traffic merge, including cycle lanes, users must give way to any vehicle ahead of them. At these roundabouts cyclists are allowed to travel in the main traffic lane, and exit the roundabout into the dedicated cycle lanes. At the same time, cyclists need to acknowledge vehicle speeds and ride so as not to unnecessarily delay drivers.
Multi-lane roundabouts
When approaching a multi-lane roundabout, cyclists are encouraged to use the off-road connection. This is the safest option for cyclists. You will notice signage and a lane directing cyclists off the road. Be sure to follow the connection to turn left, continue straight, or to turn right.
Taking the lane at single lane roundabouts
Last Updated: 7 February 2022
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