Major road rule changes coming into effect across Australia from today
Several road rule changes are being introduced in Australian states and territories from today, July 1, with tougher penalties and new speed limits designed to crack down on dangerous driving behaviours.
From increased fines for mobile phone use and speeding offences, to new obligations when passing roadside assistance vehicles, in some cases, non-compliance could cost hundreds and trigger licence suspensions.
Drivers in multiple states are being urged to brush up on the new rules — or risk paying the price.
From July 1, Victoria will require drivers to slow to 40 km/h when passing roadside assistance vehicles, including tow trucks, breakdown support and incident response units — as long as flashing lights are activated and workers are visible. The penalty: a fine of up to $961, but no demerit points.
In high-pedestrian areas and school zones, there's also been a recent push to slash the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour.
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Starting today, NSW will apply average speed cameras to light vehicles — including cars and motorbikes — at two high-traffic locations.
The cameras, already in place for heavy vehicles, will be active on a section of the Hume Highway in the state's south, and on a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway on the Mid North Coast. A grace period with warning notices has been running since May 1, 2025, but enforcement with fines will begin from July 1.
NSW is phasing out ticketless parking fines, addressing concerns over drivers unknowingly receiving fines without physical notices.
As of July 1, Queensland is introducing a 3.5 per cent increase to fines across a range of offences, including speeding, seatbelt violations and mobile phone use. Distracted driving will be a particular focus, with enhanced enforcement tech and a tougher approach to infringement.
Queensland is set to reduce speed limits from 50 to 40 km/h in select tourist and residential areas, including the Hervey Bay Esplanade and various urban neighbourhoods.
South Australia's latest road rule change requiring drivers to slow down to 25 km/h when passing stationary breakdown service vehicles displaying flashing amber lights came into effect on May 19. The change extends the current protections for emergency vehicles and is part of a broader safety campaign.
While no changes are coming in on July 1 in WA, road users in the state should be across some new initiatives recently launched.
AI-powered cameras have begun detecting speeding, seatbelt non-compliance, and phone use, with enforcement to begin after a warning period concludes later this year.
A three-year trial reducing speed limits on hundreds of roads in Augusta–Margaret River continues after it began in 2025 to improve safety in high-risk regional areas.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that fines for some traffic offences in WA would increase from July 1.
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