Speed AwarenesS SIgns

City of Vincent uses speed awareness signs (also known as smiley face signs) to encourage safer driving in our neighbourhoods.

The signs give drivers instant feedback about how fast they are travelling and remind them to slow down when needed.

We trialed four temporary speed awareness signs on Ellesmere Street following concerns raised by residents about increased traffic and speeding. The results were positive - average traffic speed reduced by 13 per cent from 55km/h to 48km/h. 

Vincent now has a three-year rolling program to support our Accessible City Strategy, which aims to prioritise pedestrians through safe streets, slower speed zones and shared spaces.

How the signs work

Speed awareness signs use radar technology to detect the speed of approaching vehicles and provide a visual reminder for drivers to check their speed.

  • When a driver is travelling within the speed limit the sign displays a green smiley face.
  • When a driver is travelling above the speed limit the sign displays a red sad face and a prompt to 'slow down'

The signs also collect data that helps us to monitor traffic conditions and identify speeding trends. 

Sign locations

Speed awareness sings are solar powered and can be moved between locations. Locations for speed awareness signs are identified 

We identify locations for the signs using a combination of traffic data and community feedback and prioritise streets where.

  • Traffic speeds frequently exceed the speed limit.
  • Safety concerns have been identified in Local Area Traffic Management assessments.
  • We have received multiple complaints about speeding.

Current locations

Street name

From

To

Timeframe

Britannia Road Egina Street Buxton Street Jun 2025 - Mar 2026 
Ellesmere Street  Charles Street  London Street Mar 2026 - Sep 2026
Haynes Street  Sydney Street Eton Street Mar 2026 - Sep 2026
Joel Terrace  Mitchell Street Gardnier Street  Dec 2025 - Jun 2026
Burt Street  Norfolk Street  Fitzgerald Street  Mar 2026 - Sep 2026

Upcoming locations

Street name

From

To

Timeframe

Eton Street  Gill Street Green Street  Jul 2026 - Jan 2027
Bourke St  Oxford Street  Windich Place  Jul 2026 - Jan 2027
Carr Street  Fitzgerald Street  Charles Street  Oct 2026 - Mar 2027
Kalgoorlie Street  Anzac Road  Ashby Street  Oct 2026 - Mar 2027
Albert Street  Charles Street  Barnet Street  Oct 2026 - Mar 2027

State Government road safety initiative 

The Road Safety Commission has announced it will roll out 100 speed awareness signs for high-risk school zones across the state as part of the State Government Road Safety Reform Package

The City will share further information if locations within Vincent are included in this program.

For more information about the Speed Awareness Signs Program, please contact our Engineering team here

Latest News 

Vincent responds to traffic safety concerns
Posted 26 November 2025 Vincent responds to traffic safety concerns

Following concerns from East Perth residents regarding increased traffic and speeding along Joel Terrace, the City of Vincent will install temporary speed awareness signs in the area.

Smiles extended for safe drivers in Vincent
Posted 08 September 2025 Smiles extended for safe drivers in Vincent

Following a trial of ‘smiley face’ speed awareness signs, four new signs will be used on rotation across various hotpot locations.

Smiles for safe drivers on Ellesmere Street
Posted 11 April 2025 Smiles for safe drivers on Ellesmere Street

Four temporary speed awareness signs have been installed along Ellesmere Street in Mt Hawthorn.

1 

 

 

Was this page helpful?