Roadworks and driving safely
Slow down when you see road workers and drive to the posted speed limit.
Slow down and follow the speed limit
If you’re approaching a roadworks speed sign, you must:
- slow down to the speed shown on any temporary signs
- travel at or below the speed limit until you pass a speed sign showing a different speed limit.
Reduced speed limits are in place around roadworks and when there are people working along the roadside. This includes works being undertaken by council workers or when people are conducting repairs to infrastructure and powerlines.
The temporary speed limit applies even if you can’t see roadworks being carried out.
Learn more about the speed limits.
Potential hazards around roadworks
There can still be dangers around work zones even when there’s nobody working on the road.
These dangers can include:
- narrow lane widths
- barriers close to traffic lanes
- deep trenches
- loose gravel on the road
- soft road surfaces
- humps and drops in the road.
Some dangers are easy to spot during the day, but much harder to see at night. Driving at a slower speed gives you more time to see the danger and avoid a crash.