About speeding

Speeding is one of the major causes of fatalities on Queensland roads. Speeding is defined as driving over the posted speed limit or at a speed that is inappropriate for the driving conditions (e.g. rain, fog, traffic volume, traffic flow). Speeding is not safe in any circumstance.

Driving within the speed limit maximises your stopping distance, giving you more time to react to:

• the actions of other road users around you like vehicles, pedestrians, bicycle and personal mobility device riders.
• changes to the road environment itself such as pot holes and obstacles.

Speed limits are set and enforced to reduce crashes and save lives. Fines and demerit points apply when a person is caught driving a vehicle above the posted speed limit.

During 2022 there were 88 fatalities as a result of crashes involving speeding motorists, representing approximately 30% of the Queensland road fatalities.

Visit road safety statistics to find out more information on Queensland's road crash data.

Speed-related social costs

Road crashes are a tragedy and impact families, communities, emergency personnel and health services.

Speed-related fatalities and hospitalised casualties in Queensland have an estimated cost of $3.2 billion each year. This is based on road crash data from 1 Jan 2012 – 31 December 2016. Social cost figures are provided in 2017 dollar value using the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics 2006 social cost estimates.

Speed limits

A speed limit sign has a number in a circle on it showing the maximum speed in km/h that you may drive your vehicle on the road in good conditions. In poor weather or hazardous conditions, you should drive at a lower speed to suit those conditions. You must not exceed the signposted speed limit even when overtaking.

The speed limit in built-up areas in Queensland is 50km/h and the default speed limit on a road outside a built-up area is 100km/h, unless otherwise indicated by signs.

The penalties for speeding in Queensland are consistent, regardless of location, and based on the speed a driver is driving at in excess of the speed limit.

Road worker safety

Roadworks are necessary to build new roads and keep our existing roads safe however, roadwork sites can be dangerous. You need to take extra care when driving through roadworks, this is for your safety and the safety of the road workers who are improving our roads.

Road workers are our friends, our family, and our colleagues and work in one of the most dangerous and vulnerable workplaces you could imagine. They deserve to have a safe workplace.