Speed limits in Australia explained

See main article: Speed limit and Speed limits by country. Speed limits in Australia range from shared zones to . Speed limit signage is in km/h since metrication on 1 July 1974. All speed limits (with the sole exception of the South Australian school and roadworks zones which are signposted at 25 km/h) are multiples of 10 km/h – the last digit in all speed signs is zero.[1] Speed limits are set by state and territory legislation albeit with co-ordination and discussion between governments.

Common limits

Australian states and territories use two "default" speed limits. These apply automatically in the absence of 'posted' speed restriction signage. The two default speed limits are:

Common speed zones below the default built up area 50 km/h limit are:

Common speed zones above the default limits are:

The "END" speed limit sign is increasingly used throughout Australia to signal the end of a posted speed restriction, or built-up area "default" speed-limit leading to the jurisdiction's "rural" default speed limit. It contains the word "END" and a number in a black circle beneath this, representing the ceasing speed-limit. It is typically used where, according to AS1742.4 the road beyond has certain hazards such as hidden driveways, poor camber, soft edges and other hazards where the road authority feels a posted speed limit sign might be too dangerous or otherwise unwarranted. It is intended therefore to invoke particular caution. This sign is used as a direct replacement for the slash-through speed derestriction signs common in Europe and elsewhere.

Speed limits are enforced in all areas of the country. Tolerance is about 6 km/h in urban areas and 9 km/h on highways depending on regulations of respective state such that driver driving on or below the tolerance speed will not receive a ticket.[5] This is the case in South Australia and other states have similar tolerances. One exception is Victoria where they will deduct 2–4 km/h in from the speed reading such that reasonable doubt is credited to the driver.[6] especially in light of the fact that earlier Australian Design Rules specified that vehicle speedometers may have up to 10% leeway in accuracy. This was updated in 2006 to require that the "speed indicated shall not be less than the true speed of the vehicle."[7] Detection measures used are radar, LIDAR, fixed and mobile speed cameras (using various detection technologies), Vascar, pacing and aircraft.

Default speed limits by state and territory

Despite introduction of model national road rules by the states in 1999, Western Australia and the Northern Territory retain different default speed limits. The table below indicates the default speed limits along with typical school zone limits and the highest zone in each locality.

In the external territories, and in some special cases (such as Lord Howe Island, NSW), the speed limits may differ significantly from those found across the rest of the nation.

State / territorySchool zone[8] Built-up areaRural areaHighest speed zone
Australian Road Rules[9] number on school zone sign50100number on speed-limit sign
Australian Capital Territory4050100100
New South Wales40 on all roads 40 km/h or more
30 in designated 30 km/h high pedestrian activity areas
50[10] 100[11] 110[12] (Policy is
100 east of the Newell Highway and
110 west of the Newell Highway[13]
)
Northern Territory4060[14] 110130
Queensland40 on roads 70 km/h or less
60 on roads 80 km/h and some 90/100 km/h
80 on roads 110 km/h and some 90/100 km/h
50100110
South Australia25[15] on roads 60 km/h or less50100110
Tasmania40 on roads 70 km/h or less
60 on roads 80 km/h or more
50100110[16]
Victoria40 on roads 70 km/h or less
60 on roads 80 km/h or more
50100110
Western Australia40 50110110
External territories
Christmas Island[17] 40409090
Cocos (Keeling) Islands--305050
Norfolk Island[18] 3030 - Kingston Foreshore
40 - Burnt Pine Central Business District
30 - Norfolk Island National Park
50 - Other Areas
50
Special cases
Lord Howe Island[19] ------25

Limits for Learner, Provisional and Probationary licence holders

The table below indicates the different speed limits that apply for each state's licence holders.[20] [21]

The limits apply when the roads stated speed is above the licence's speed limit, e.g.: a person with a NSW P1 licence can drive at a max speed of 90 km/h on 100/110 km/h signed roads in any state. Conversely, a person with a Queensland provisional licence is not speed limited and can drive at the road's stated speed, even while in NSW where local provisional drivers are limited to 90 km/h.

State / territoryLearnerProvisional / Probationary
Australian Capital Territorynormal limitnormal limit
New South Wales90P1:90, P2:100
Northern Territory80100
Queenslandnormal limitnormal limit
South Australia100100
Tasmania90P1:100, P2: normal limit[22]
Victorianormal limitnormal limit
Western Australia100normal limit

Limits for trucks and buses

New South Wales has a limit of 100 km/h for heavy (more than 4.5 tonne) vehicles which is not a feature of the Australian Road Rules.[23] Additionally particular heavy vehicles (some buses and vehicles more than 13.9 tonne) are required to have speed monitoring devices fitted.[24]

Historical limits

Historically, Australia operated a simple speed limit system of urban and rural default limits, denoted in miles per hour. As part of metrication in 1974, speed limits and speed advisories were converted into kilometres per hour, rounded to the nearest 10 km/h, leading to small discrepancies in speed limits. Also, the signage was changed from the design where the words "SPEED LIMIT" appear above the numeric limit (as specified in the current US MUTCD) to the design where the numeric limit is inscribed on a red circle (which is defined by the Vienna Convention and thus it became an international sign for speed limit).

Urban limits

The urban default, which prior to the 1930s was, applied to any "built up area", usually defined by the presence of street lighting. Over the next 30 years, each of the states and territories progressively increased the limit to, with New South Wales being the last to change in May 1964. South Australia adopted on 30 November 1950, along with the "new short-right hand turn" in place of a hook turn.[25]

Metrication led to the default urban limits of being converted to 60 km/h, an increase of .

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the urban default limit was progressively lowered to nationally for reasons of road, and especially pedestrian, safety. However, many existing roads, especially subarterial roads in urban areas, have had limits posted on them. Queensland's Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Speed Controls) states that is the general minimum speed limit for traffic-carrying roads.[26] The Northern Territory has retained the limit; however, is also a common speed limit (particularly in residential areas).

Rural limits

Outside of built up areas, a prima facie speed limit applied. In New South Wales and Victoria, speed limit was 50 miles per hour (80 km/h in New South Wales after metrication). In the 1970s however, most state speed limits were gradually replaced by absolute limits.[27] An absolute speed limit of was introduced to Victoria in 1971, as a trial. This was subsequently reduced to in late 1973. South Australia introduced an absolute speed limit of in 1974.

With metrication in 1974, the rural defaults of and became and respectively. The 50 mph limit in New South Wales became a limit of 80 km/h.

New South Wales introduced an absolute speed limit of in 1979, replacing the limit of The Northern Territory introduced an absolute speed limit of in 2007, along with zones on the Territory's four major highways.

NT open speed limits

The Northern Territory had no blanket speed limits outside major towns until January 2007, when a general rural speed limit of was introduced, although four major highways had higher zones.[28] Speed-limit advocates note that the per-capita fatality rate in 2006 was the highest in the OECD and twice the Australian average.[29] In 2009, the opposition (Country Liberal Party) unsuccessfully sought the removal of the limits on three out of the four highways where it applied, arguing that total fatalities in the Northern Territory had increased significantly during the first two years of the speed limit. In argument against the motion, the government provided more detailed statistics than normally published; these statistics showed a reduction in fatalities along the highways where limits were introduced.[30] [31] [32] In 2011 the opposition argued for a return to "open speed limits" .[33] For the 2012 election the Country Liberals' transport policy promised an evidence-based approach.[34] After winning government, de-restriction of Stuart Highway was proposed;[35] [36] a planned 12-month de-restriction was initiated on 1 February 2014. The trial on of Stuart Highway was expanded later in the year to another, and continued indefinitely in January 2015 during a review of the initial results since "in the first 11 months, there were no recorded fatalities."[37] From September 2015, a stretch of Stuart Highway between Barrow Creek and Alice Springs had speed limits removed for a 12-month trial.[38] [39] [40] speed limits were restored on 20 November 2016 due to the electoral loss of the Country Liberal Party.[41] [42]

Derestriction signs in NSW

Often the start of rural default 'limits' or prima facie allowances were signalled by use of the speed derestriction sign, catalogued R4-2 in AS1742.4. (2009 edition has dropped from reference the R4-2 speed derestriction).[43] The speed derestriction sign (//) had developed 'different meaning' over time at state and territory level, although its contract-meaning under Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals where the sign is catalogued C17a is "End of all local prohibitions imposed on moving vehicles" and has never changed.[44] In the Northern Territory, they designated the end of speed restrictions.[45] In Victoria and Western Australia they meant that the rural default speed limit applied, whilst in New South Wales, they indicated that the prima facie limit applied. New South Wales's prima facie limit, often signed by derestriction signs, was only enforced in cases where a driver's speed could be demonstrated to be excessive or dangerous in the context of prevailing road conditions. This was somewhat similar in principle to "reasonable and prudent" limits in other jurisdictions. This led to the widespread but misleading belief that no limit applied, and that derestriction signs indicated an "unlimited" limit. This belief, coupled with repeated studies showing 85th percentile speeds in excess of on major routes, comparatively high road tolls, difficulty in prosecuting speeding offences, and the variance in meaning of the derestriction sign across states, led New South Wales to harmonise its rural default limit to in 1978.[46] The use of derestriction signs in New South Wales was officially discouraged, and on state controlled routes, signs were progressively used instead.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: NSW speed zoning guidelines. 2011. Roads and Traffic Authority NSW. 9.
  2. News: School's out but cameras on duty . Richard . Blackburn . July 17, 2011 . . 17 July 2011 . 20 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720114630/http://smh.drive.com.au/schools-out-but-cameras-on-duty-20110716-1hj01.html . dead .
  3. Web site: de Moeller . Olga . Speeders a danger to schoolkids . The West Australian . 17 June 2019 . 7 September 2020.
  4. Web site: Speed limits. 10 December 2020.
  5. Web site: Expiation Notice System Data . Police . South Australia .
  6. Web site: Enforcement of road rules in Victoria | RACV .
  7. http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200614212?OpenDocument Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 18/03 – Instrumentation) 2006
  8. Web site: School Crossings Report . ACT Government . TAMS . 9 April 2009 .
  9. Web site: Archived copy . 21 May 2010 . 29 October 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091029202332/http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reports/ARR_February_2009_final.pdf . dead .
  10. (2)
  11. (3)
  12. Web site: Driving . New South Wales Government . Roads and Traffic Authority . 21 December 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081106192222/http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/internationalinterstate/driving.html . 6 November 2008 .
  13. Web site: NSW speed zoning guidelines version 4.0 September 2011 (see page 14). dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20220310004445/https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/downloads/nsw_sza.pdf. 10 March 2022. RMS.
  14. Book: Road Users' Handbook . 2009 . Northern Territory Government . 28 January 2014 . 978-0-646-91531-9.
  15. Web site: Speed Limits. Government of South Australia, Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure. 24 February 2013.
  16. Web site: Economic Evaluation of the Introduction of Lower Rural Default and National Highway Speed Limits in Tasmania. Table 1: State Road Network roads designated for speed limit reductions. Traffic parameters and mean speeds for each road category.. Monash University Accident Research Centre. Max Cameron. Rural roads with 110 km/h speed limits...Divided Category 1 Trunk Roads 67.3 (km in length)... 110 (km/h free mean speed for cars and light commercial vehicles)...Undivided Cat. 1 Trunk Roads 238 (km)...105 (km/h free mean speed for cars and light commercial vehicles). October 2009. 2012-09-15.
  17. Web site: Safe Driving Saves Lives . . 2022-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080722224824/http://www.christmas.shire.gov.cx//Works_and_Services/Transport_and_Works/4DL%20Brochure%20oustsidev4.pdf . 22 July 2008 .
  18. Web site: Archived copy . 7 April 2013 . 8 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121008211116/http://www.info.gov.nf/adminforms/motor%20vehicle%20rego/NI%20Traffic%20handbook%20v2.pdf . dead .
  19. Web site: Lord Howe Island Board .
  20. Web site: L- and P-plate restrictions by state.
  21. Web site: Learner Driver FAQs . Road Safety Commission . 29 December 2020.
  22. Web site: If you hold an L2 licence – Transport Services .
  23. (3)a
  24. Web site: Vehicle monitors . 22 April 2021 .
  25. News: Follow-The-Leader in New Right Turn . . South Australia . 30 November 1950 . 16 December 2019 . 3 . Trove .
  26. Web site: Queensland Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices . Queensland Government . Department of Main Roads . 30 November 2020 .
  27. Web site: A Review of Rural Speed Limits in Australia . Commonwealth Government of Australia . Commonwealth Department of Transport . 27 March 2009 .
  28. Web site: Speed limits to be introduced on NT open roads. The open speed limit for the Territory will end. On our major highways the maximum speed will be . And on our other open roads, the default will be .. 2 November 2006. 2009-09-17. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  29. News: NT has worst road toll in OECD nations. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 July 2009 . A report on road deaths in 2007 shows the Northern Territory had by far the highest per capita rate of fatalities when compared with the rest of Australia and OECD countries.. 2010-04-27.
  30. Web site: MOTION Reinstatement of Open Speed Limits. We have adopted a speed limit on our main highways that is responsible and workable; the road toll is down in areas where limits were introduced on 1 January 2007. Tragically, five people have been killed in zone areas this year, seven in 2008, and six in 2007. This compares to an average of more than 12 people per year in the five years prior to speed limits, with 16 people dying in 2002, 16 in 2003, 11 in 2004, 14 in 2005, and six in 2006. The fatalities recorded in the now zone on the Stuart Highway are particularly tragic, averaging over nine fatalities per year prior to speed limits. Since the introduction of speed limits this has reduced to an average of five fatalities per year to date - five too many. . 2010-05-17.
  31. Web site: Revheads' dream: bid to scrap NT speed limits. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Opposition's transport spokesman Adam Giles says despite the introduction of speed limits, the road toll has increased. In 2006, 44 people were killed, and the following year, the toll climbed by 13 deaths. In 2008, it reached 75. However, this year's road toll is 17, compared with 45 for the same period in 2008. The Opposition is planning to debate a motion in the Legislative Assembly today to have speed limits lifted on parts of main highways.. 18 August 2009. 2010-05-17.
  32. Web site: Northern Territory Crash Statistics. Northern Territory Transport Group. 2010-05-16.
  33. Web site: SPEED LIMITS. Country Liberal Party. Open speed limits were removed in 2007 by the current Labor Government after undertaking a road safety review...Official road toll figures in 2006 were 44. Following the removal of open speed limits the toll increased to 57 and then 75. Last year it was 50, higher still than when speed limits were removed...The Country Liberals - within the first 100 days of government - will review the state of the Territory’s major arterial routes and identify safe locations for open speed limits to be reintroduced.. Adam Giles. Adam Giles. 10 August 2011. 2012-03-01.
  34. Web site: Road Safety - Deadly serious - Reducing risks on our roads. Country Liberal Party. Speed Limits. A Country Liberals Government will adopt an evidence-based approach to speed limits on our major highways. We will conduct an audit of the impact of the introduction of speed limits and will base any future decisions around that information.. Terry Mills. Terry Mills (Australian politician). 2012-09-13.
  35. Web site: Northern Territory chief minister considers scrapping speed limit on the Stuart Highway. Herald Sun. News Limited Network.. Newly elected Northern Territory Chief Minister Terry Mills indicated he was willing to dump the speed limit on the Stuart Highway. The road did not have a set speed limit until 1 January 2007...Mr Mills and the CLP took power last month and was today asked whether he planned to scrap the rural speed limits. He suggested the of road between Katherine and Alice Springs could possibly exist without a speed limit.. 11 September 2012. 2012-09-15.
  36. Web site: Speed limits may go in parts of Australia. In the six years since, more people have died on Northern Territory roads (307) than in the six years before the change (292). Fatalities on the Stuart, Victoria and Barkly Highways have almost halved since speed limits were introduced, from 62 to 32, but the statistics show that the drop is more to do with fewer drink-drivers and the increased use of seatbelts by Territory drivers. . SAM HALL . TOBY HAGON . DAVID MCCOWEN . 9 May 2013. 2013-05-10.
  37. Web site: Permanent speed de-restriction looms following successful evidence-based trial, but not everyone is happy.. Provisional figures reveal that in the first 11 months, there were no recorded fatalities. The government argues 12 fatalities were recorded on the same patch of road between 2004 and 2013, with speed ruled out as a key factor in each incident. "Following the commencement of the open speed trial on a stretch of road from south of Barrow Creek to north of Alice Springs, and an extension of the trial section to include a stretch of road on the Stuart Highway between the Ali Curung Rail Overpass to just north of Barrow Creek, the Northern Territory Department of Transport will now undertake a review of the trial to determine its success and future viability," Territory deputy Chief Minister Peter Chandler said... "The trial will continue during the review period.".
  38. Web site: The need for speed on Stuart Highway. ABC Local. 15 October 2013. 7 December 2020.
  39. Web site: News . 2 September 2020 .
  40. Web site: Open speed limit not licence for recklessness . 13 February 2014 .
  41. http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/open-speed-limits-scrapped/news-story/33dcae476d0290f445965f1e74423871
  42. Web site: Northern Territorians voted to scrap open speed limits, CLP opposition admits. ABC News. 21 November 2016. 7 December 2020.
  43. Web site: Manual of uniform traffic control devices. Part 4: Speed controls . AS 1742.4—2008 . 2008 . Standards Australia.
  44. Book: Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, the European Agreement supplementing the Convention and its additional Protocol . ECE/TRANS/196 . 978-92-1-116973-7 . United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
  45. Web site: Porsche slams NT over speed limit change.
  46. Web site: A brief history of open speed limits in Australia.