LAW UPDATE: beach driving

Drivers must now adhere to a new default speed limit of 40km/h on South Australian beaches, and 25km/h if driving within 50m of a pedestrian, unless otherwise signposted.

Changes to the Road Traffic Act 1961 came into effect on Friday 1 December, and anyone caught speeding on beaches that allow vehicles now risk losing demerit points and facing fines of up to $5000.

As part of the State Government's Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25, a review of beach speed limits was conducted earlier this year which highlighted clear support from South Australians to lower the default maximum speed.

Previously, where there was not a signed speed limit, it defaulted to 100km/h.

Of the respondents to a YourSAy survey, 80 per cent supported a lower default speed limit, with most wanting this to be 40km/h and 25km/h within 100m of a pedestrian.

However, following consultation with SAPOL, the community, councils and expert stakeholders, it was agreed that motorists should only have to do 25km/h when they were within 50m of walkers.

Between 2017 and 2021, there were 29 reported crashes on our beaches. This resulted in the loss of one life, 15 serious injuries and 13 minor injuries.

In approximately half of these crashes, speed was a contributing factor.

Some beaches in the state already have signposted speed limits, including Moana, Aldinga and Sellicks, which have a 10km/h limit, and Goolwa Beach which has a 40km/h limit.