Speed Limits

Speed Limit Signage

Speed limits are established to indicate the maximum safe speed for a given road environment. However, drivers are responsible for adjusting their speed to suit current conditions, such as road surface and weather. This is especially important on gravel roads, where conditions can change quickly.

When reviewing or modifying speed limits on council-controlled roads, Council must follow strict guidelines and procedures.

Council applies the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) guidelines when assessing and setting speed limits. These guidelines ensure that speed limits across Queensland reflect the road environment and function, support the safety of all road users, and remain consistent, practical, and likely to be followed by drivers.

Speed Limit Signs

A speed limit sign displays a number within a circle, indicating the maximum speed (in km/h) at which you are permitted to drive under normal road conditions. In adverse weather or when conditions are hazardous, you should reduce your speed accordingly. You must never exceed the posted speed limit, even when passing another vehicle.

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 speed limits other than the default limits apply, speed limit signs are installed to inform drivers of the speed limit.

50km speed limit sign   100km speed limit sign

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

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  • 10km/hr – shared zones
  • 30km-40km/hr –CBD’s, hospital zones
  • 40km/hr – school zones (7:30–9:30am and 2–4pm)*
  • 60km/hr and above - high traffic volume roads

*Please note, school zone times within the Gympie Local Government Area are observed between 7:30-9:30am and 2-4pm

 

 

 

 

Unsealed and Narrow Roads

Default speed limits are applied to unsealed and/ or narrow roads (road width is insufficient for 2 vehicles to pass each other without using the shoulder or verge). Unsealed and narrow roads are left unsigned as 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). Alternatively, hooning can be reporting online by visiting Report a Hoon

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 Queensland Road Safety Technical User Volumes (QRSTUV) Guide to Speed Management, which also includes the establishment of a Speed Management Committee (SMC).

If it is deemed necessary to conduct a review, a full investigation and assessment may take several months.

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

  • Traffic volumes & speeds
  • Road classification/ function
  • Road alignment
  • Roadside hazards
  • Land use
  • Crash history
  • Lane and shoulder width
  • 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 (SMC) for consideration and a final decision. The SMC is made up from representatives from Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Queensland Police Service and the Gympie Regional Council.

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Once the SMC has endorsed a recommendation to change a speed limit, Council will arrange for installation and/or replacement of signage. A "new limit" sign will be installed below the speed limit sign to alert drivers that there has been a recent change to the posted speed limit. This sign will be in place for a period of two months following the change.

More Information

For other information on road safety issues, visit:

Speed limits - Queensland Government
QRSTUV: Guide to Speed Management - Department of Transport and Main Roads
Report a hoon - Queensland Government
Queensland Police Service or 131 444

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