Regulatory Impact Analysis to reduce the open road default speed limit

Reducing the number of people killed and injured on Australia's roads is a priority for all governments. In 2024, 1294 people were killed on our roads, with more than 30,000 people seriously injured as a result of road crashes. Speed is a major factor in serious and fatal traffic crashes.

Through the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023–25, all governments agreed that the Australian Government would develop a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) on reducing the default speed limit outside of built-up areas.

The development of this RIA could lead to changes to the Australian Road Rules, which is a model law that states and territories base their own road rules on. The implementation of this change would give states and territories the opportunity to reduce default speed limits as appropriate.

Some roads in Australia do not have sign-posted speed limits. This means that a default speed limit applies on those roads. The Australian Road Rules state that the default speed limit on roads outside of built-up areas is 100km/h. The Australian Road Rules do not specify a default speed limit for unsealed roads.

Outside of built-up areas such as cities, towns and suburbs, the default speed limit generally applies to roads that are less busy and carry fewer vehicles on a daily basis. In most cases, the default speed limit does not apply to busy roads such as freeways and main roads, which most people travel on daily, because these roads have clearly sign-posted speed limits.

Some roads outside of built-up areas, especially in regional and remote areas, may not be safe to travel on at 100km/h. Many of Australia's regional and remote roads are not sealed, and may be dirt or gravel tracks. Other roads may have sealed surfaces, but may be in poor condition, or lacking the road features that would enable safe travel at high speeds.

Travelling at up to 100km/h on roads such as these may not be safe and will increase the risk of crashes, death and serious injuries. Reducing travel speed on these roads can help prevent the tragedy of road crashes, injuries and deaths, by setting a speed limit that is safe for drivers and people using the road.

This impact analysis considers the options, costs and benefits for lowering the current default speed limit in the Australian Road Rules, and introducing a new default speed limit specifically for unsealed roads.

We are seeking feedback from industry, interested stakeholders and members of the public on:

• The options for lowering the current default speed limit outside of built-up areas.
• Introducing a default speed limit for unsealed roads outside of built-up areas.
• The potential road safety benefits of reducing default speed limits outside of built-up areas.

Relevant documentation

• Consultation Regulatory Impact Analysis—Reducing the default speed limit outside of built-up areas
• Infographic—Reducing the default speed limit outside of built-up areas