Speeding fines QLD aren’t just a way to generate revenue; they are a critical tool to protect Queenslanders. Research shows a direct correlation between speed and the severity of road accidents. Thus, speeding penalties are designed to deter dangerous driving behaviours and ultimately prevent the devastating loss of life and serious injuries that often result from excessive speed.
Speeding remains a deadly scourge on Queensland roads. Despite ongoing awareness campaigns and enforcement, speeding-related fatalities and injuries continue to cost the state billions of dollars each year. Statistics show that speed-related crashes on Queensland highways claim the lives of 59 persons annually on average.
In QLD, unless otherwise posted, Queensland’s built-up regions have a 50 km/h speed restriction. A ‘built-up area’ or ‘local street’ has limited neighborhood traffic circulation and/or access to private property. Local streets can also be found in some commercial and industrial areas.
The speed limit on roads that transport traffic through towns and suburbs is 60 km/h or more. Moreover, these routes have clearly posted speed limits.
Legal Basis of Speeding Fines QLD and Penalties
Speeding fines in Queensland are imposed not only as a financial penalty but as a way to highlight the potential consequences. These include not just fines, but demerit points, licence suspensions, and even the heartbreaking responsibility of causing harm to others on the road.
The Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2000 (QLD) establishes the road rules under the Queensland government, based on the Australian Road Rules. Its goal is to enhance safety and traffic flow, as well as to outline the responsibilities of all road users.
This regulation is the principal legislation governing speeding in QLD. As an overview, here are the speeding-related provisions:
Speeding Related Provisions
- Section 20: Obeying the Speed Limit – This is the central provision. It mandates that drivers must not exceed the posted speed limit. (Max. penalty – 40 penalty units)
- Sections 21-25: Specific Speed Limits – These sections outline particular speed limits in various circumstances:
- an area speed limit sign on each road in the area, indicating the same number; and
- an end area speed limit sign on each road out of the area.
- Section 23: Speed limits in school zones. This section specifies what a school zone is. A school zone is –
- if there is a school zone sign and an end school zone sign, or a speed limit sign with a different number on the sign, on a road—that length of road; or
- if there is a school zone sign on a road that ends in a dead end and there is no sign mentioned in paragraph (a), on the length of road beginning at the sign and ending at the dead end—that length of road.
Speed Limits in Shared Zones
- Section 24:. A shared zone under this Regulation is described as –
- If there is a shared zone sign and an end shared zone sign on a road and there is no intersection on the length of road between the signs—that length of road; or
- if there is a shared zone sign on a road that ends in a dead end and there is no intersection on the length of road beginning at the sign and ending at the dead end—that length of road; or
- a network of roads in an area with:
- a shared zone signs on each road into the area indicating the same number; and
- an end shared zone signs on each road out of the area; or
- a road-related area that is between a shared zone sign that relates to the area and an end shared zone sign that relates to the area.
- Section 24A: Speed limits for certain categories of vehicles (e.g., heavy vehicles).
Speeding Fines QLD
Speeding fines in Queensland range from AUD 309 to tougher penalties like AUD 1,780. However, the court may impose higher fines if the traffic offender is:
- Driving at an unsafe speed when approaching a children’s crossing (3 demerit points)
- Driving at an unsafe speed when approaching a pedestrian crossing (3 demerit points)
Other than these two situations, the speeding fines QLD for other speeding offences are fixed by law. Here’s a summary of the speeding fines QLD:
| Offence | Speeding Fines QLD | Demerit Points |
| Driving less than 11 km/h over the speed limit | AUD 309 | 1 |
| Driving at least 11 km/h, but not more than 20 km/h, over the speed limit | AUD 464 | 3 |
| Driving more than 20km/h, but not more than 30km/h, over the speed limit | AUD 696 | 4 |
| Driving more than 30km/h, but not more than 40km/h, over the speed limit | AUD 1,161 | 6 |
| Driving more than 40km/h over the speed limit | AUD 1,780 | 8 |
Do know that on 1 July 2023, there has been an increase of 7.7% in the fines and penalties in line with the government’s indexation policy.
How to Pay Your Speeding Fines QLD?
If QLD Police Service catches your speeding, you must pay your fine immediately. If the fine is $200 or more, you have 28 days from the date of issue to pay the full amount due or arrange a payment plan. There will be a card surcharge for any credit or debit card payments.
Furthermore, you have 28 days from the date of the fine’s issuance to transfer the amount or contest it in court if you get a fine for which you are not accountable. You can pay with your payment reference number if it is associated with your fine. The choices for your fine that are available will be listed on your infringement notice.
You can pay through any of the following modes:
If your fine is handwritten and you don’t have a payment reference number, use your infringement notice number to pay online, by post, or in person. Handwritten penalties are issued manually and cannot be paid online right away; you must wait for our system to record the fine’s data.
It may take up to 21 days from the issuance date shown on the fine/infringement document for the Queensland Revenue Office to process the fine. However, even if it’s lost, you can pay online by logging into your account to see if the fine has been noted on our system.
You might have to pay the fine in person or by mail if it takes more than 21 days for it to appear on our system.
Consult with a Traffic Offences Lawyer
Were you caught speeding in Queensland roads or highways? Speeding fines QLD and points can add up aside from a possible licence suspension. Let a traffic offence lawyer from JB Solicitors can help you understand the local traffic codes and state traffic laws. Additionally, we can:
- Represent you in court to fight licence suspension, camera detected offences, or speeding offence charges.
- Help you identify your state penalty at the State Penalties Enforcement Registry
- Help you identify your driver’s traffic history for court proceedings.
- Enrol you in road safety programmes
Contact us today.
