Speed is a major killer on Victorian roads. You are more likely to collide with another car, hit a pedestrian, or run off the road, if you exceed the speed limit.
Speed limits are the maximum allowed speed for driving on the road. However, poor driving conditions often make it necessary to drive at a speed lower than the limit to keep yourself and others safe. As a driver, it is your responsibility to choose the safest speed within the speed limit.
In a 60 km/h zone the risk of an injury crash doubles with every 5 km/h increase in speed above the speed limit. If you drive at 65 km/h in a 60 km/h zone - which might not seem much to you - an injury causing crash is twice as likely to occur.
For these reasons, maximum speed limits exist and are enforced throughout Victoria. Speed limits vary from area to area due to a number of factors, such as the level of pedestrian activity or proximity to schools.
Speed limits are enforced in Victoria and penalties are imposed for offences. A licence or learner permit can be cancelled, suspended or have demerit points imposed, see Licence penalties.
Speed signs are not displayed on all roads in Victoria. In these cases, the default speed limit is always in effect. In built-up areas, the default speed limit is 50 km/h. On freeways and country roads outside built-up areas, the default speed limit is 100 km/h.
The default speed limit for Victoria’s roads in built-up areas is 50 km/h. This was set in January 2001. The default speed limit applies on all roads in built-up areas where there are no speed signs displayed.
The default speed limit benefits all road users including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists. Research has shown that:
- a crash is less likely to occur at lower speeds such as those below 50 km/h
- a pedestrian is significantly more likely to survive a crash at speeds below 50 km/h.
The current default limit supports this research. Since it was introduced in 2001, fewer deaths have occurred on Victorian roads.
As high pedestrian and cyclist activity occurs in built-up areas, you should consider travelling at a speed well below the maximum speed limit. As the driver, it is your responsibility to monitor driving conditions and choose a safe speed.
Speed limits are not optional. They are the maximum allowable travel speed for vehicles. The limits are monitored and enforced by police.
A reduced speed limit of 50 km/h has been introduced in selected rural and outer metropolitan townships to improve driver, passenger and pedestrian safety. This speed limit was implemented in line with the State Government's road safety strategy - arrive alive.
The 50 km/h speed limit in rural and outer metropolitan townships applies at all times and is marked by clearly visible speed signs.
50 km/h limits have already been instituted in approximately 100 towns in rural and outer metropolitan areas. These sites were selected due to:
- poor crash records
- high pedestrian activity.
A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 60 km/h has little chance of survival. At 50 km/h the chance of survival is 60 per cent. Lower speed limits increase road safety for all road users.
In rural Victoria, the default speed limit outside built-up areas is 100 km/h. The default speed limit operates on roads where there is no speed limit sign.
Metropolitan strip shopping centres have high levels of pedestrian activity. To increase road safety for all users, especially pedestrians and cyclists, a 40 km/h speed limit was introduced to 18 of Melbourne’s busiest strip shopping centres. These limits are clearly marked with electronic variable speed signs and advance warning signs. Following the successful trial of these reduced speed limits, more shopping centre zones are gradually being introduced.
For pedestrians aged between 25 and 64, countries with an urban speed limit of 50 km/h or less have an average death rate 30 per cent lower than countries where the urban limit is 60 km/h. Each year on Victorian roads, pedestrians comprise around 15 per cent of deaths and 11 per cent of serious injuries.
The introduction of 40 km/h speed limits is part of the Victorian Government’s
arrive alive strategy, which seeks to improve road safety for all road users, including pedestrians.
In areas with high numbers of pedestrians, it may be necessary to travel at speeds well below the signed maximum speed limit. If you are a driver, it is your responsibility to be aware of your environment and adjust your travelling speed accordingly. Victorian speed limits are enforced by police using a variety of technologies.
The State Government of Victoria’s
arrive alive 2008-2017 Road Safety Strategy is seeking a 30 per cent reduction in the road toll by the end of 2017. It is pursuing this goal through a number of road safety initiatives. In other countries, the introduction of lower speed limits has resulted in a reduction in the number of crashes and fatalities of between 7 and 25 per cent.
More information on the strategy can be found at
arrive alivetop of page