Higher penalties for speeding on SA roads signed off
Drivers will cop heftier fines for speeding and drink driving with new increases signed off this week to come into effect in a few months.
Road users will face heftier fines for speeding under new amendments to the Road Traffic Act 1961 that were signed off by Governor Frances Adamson on Wednesday.
The new rules, which come into effect on July 1, mean drivers caught speeding at less than 10 kilometres per hour (km/h) over the speed limit will cop a fine of $215, up from $208.
Fines for exceeding the speed limit by 10 to 20km/h will increase from $469 to $484, 20 to 30km/h from $995 to $998, 30km/h from $1736 to $1793, and more than 45km/h from $1954 to $2018.
Drink drivers will also face increased penalties, with those caught with less than 0.08 grams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood facing fines of $904, up from $875, while driving with prescribed drugs in oral fluid or blood would increase from $875 to $904.
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Meanwhile, fines for failing to stop or proceeding through a red traffic light will increase from $573 to $592, while failing to stop for a yellow traffic light will also increase from $573 to $592.
Not stopping at a stop sign with no traffic lights will increase from $530 to $547, failing to give way to a moving police or emergency vehicle will increase from $530 to $547, and failing to give way while entering a roundabout will increase from $530 to $547.
In addition, fines for failing to keep a safe distance behind other vehicles will increase from $414 to $428, driving in a bus or bike lane will increase from $329 to $390, driving without a number plate will increase from $338 to $349, and cyclists not wearing a helmet will increase from $129 to $133.
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The changes come as the RAA recently released statistics showing that more than 1100 drivers were caught speeding in new 40km/h speed zones around schools on main roads.
According to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, the first 40km/h school zones were introduced in November 2025, with more than 150 schools to have new speed limits by the end of 2026.
“Drivers ignoring the new 40km/h speed limits at drop-off and pick-up times may be putting children and other road users at risk around schools,” RAA senior manager of safety and infrastructure Charles Mountain said.
“These new speed limits are important because they’re in areas where lots of children are often present as they’re heading to and from school, and children are some of our most vulnerable road users.”
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