Speed limits on South Australian beaches will be reduced this summer to increase safety for all beachgoers.
From 1 December 2023, the default speed limit on beaches will be 40km/h and 25km/h within 50 metres of a pedestrian, unless otherwise signposted.
Changes to the Road Traffic Act 1961 will come into effect after a six-week education period where demerit points and fines will then apply for speeding on any of the state's drive-on beaches.
Beaches in South Australia are considered 'road related areas' which means where there is no signed speed limit, a default speed limit of 100km/h applies.
As part of the Malinauskas Government's commitment to the Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25, a review of speed limits on beaches was conducted earlier this year and found clear support from South Australians to reduce the default speed limit.
80 per cent of all respondents to a YourSAy survey were in favour of a reduction to the default speed limit, with the most preferred option being a reduction to 40km/h and 25km/h when within 100 metres of a pedestrian.
Following this consultation with the community, councils and expert stakeholders, including South Australia Police, a decision was reached to reduce the default speed limit to 40km/h and 25km/h within 50 metres of a pedestrian.
The Speed Limits on South Australians Beaches Community Engagement Outcomes Report can be viewed at https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/speed-limits-on-beaches/news_feed/consultation-report.
As put by Joe Szakacs
There's nothing quite like descending onto the pristine expanse of South Australia's coastline but keeping yourself and others on the beach safe should always be the number one priority.
Speed was a contributing factor to about 50 per cent of all crashes on beaches between 2017 and 2021, so earlier this year the Malinauskas Labor Government committed to review speed limits on beaches as part of the Road Safety Action Plan.
We have listened and learned through this extensive consultation process, and I am pleased that legislation to make the default speed limit 40km/h and 25km/h within 50 metres of a pedestrian has passed today.
From 1 December, demerit points and fines will apply if you are caught speeding on a beach.
It's important to remember that the Australian Road Rules apply on our beaches so that not only includes abiding by these new speed limits, but wearing seat belts, giving way, driving to the left and adhering to relevant blood alcohol limits.
