Speed limits

Council adheres to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) guidelines for assessing and posting speed limits on council-owned roads. This process aims to ensure that speed limits all over Queensland consider the road environment, road function, and safety of all road users, such that speed limits are consistent, realistic and encourage voluntary compliance.

Council regularly receives requests to review speed limits. This fact sheet aims to give information on the function of speed limits, and the speed limit review process.

Default speed limits

The 2 default speed limits QLD roads are 50km/hr (for built up residential areas), and 100km/hr (roads in rural areas). These speed limits are usually not signposted, and still require drivers to adjust their speeds depending on the conditions when and where necessary. When speed limits other than the default limits apply, signs are installed to inform drivers of the speed limit.

Other common speed limits

Where default speed limits are not appropriate, other speed limits may be applied, for example:

10km/hr – shared zones
30km-40km/hr – recreational and entertainment areas, hospital zones, CBDs
40km/hr – school zones (7–9am and 2–4pm)
60km/hr and above - high traffic volume roads

Unsealed and narrow roads

Speed limits, other than the default limits above, are not applied to unsealed and narrow roads (insufficient for 2 vehicles to pass each other without using the shoulder or verge). Unsealed and narrow roads are left unsigned, road conditions may change frequently and drivers must use sound judgement and drive to the prevailing conditions.

Enforcement of speed limits

Council does not have authority to enforce speed limits or any traffic offences involving moving vehicles. Members of the public wishing to report instances of speeding, hooning, or other illegal driving should contact their local police, or call 13HOON (13 46 66). For more information see aggressive driving (hooning).

Speed limit reviews

Council will only review a speed limit where the function of the road or the surrounding land use has changed due to development. It is not appropriate for council to review speed limits in response to speeding or hooning complaints or one off requests from residents. Council conducts speed limit reviews in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

When conducting a speed limit review, the following factors are considered:

traffic volumes
road alignment
roadside hazards
land use
crash history
lane and shoulder width
prevailing vehicle speeds
property and intersection density

Once a speed limit investigation has been completed, the findings and all of the associated data is submitted to the local Speed Management Committee for consideration and a final decision. The Speed Management Committee comprises representatives from DTMR, Queensland Police Service and Sunshine Coast Council.