South Australian beaches to shift gear for slower, safer shores

Friday, 13 October 2023

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.