A long-running frustration for motorists in NSW is being addressed from July 1, with a new rule aimed at stopping drivers from being forced to slow through roadwork zones when no work is underway.
Under changes to the state’s Traffic Control at Work Sites standard, temporary roadwork speed limit signs must be removed or covered outside construction hours whenever it is safe to do so. Drivers must still follow the reduced speed limits whenever those signs remain in place.
The reform was a commitment made by the NSW Labor government before the 2023 state election. At the time, Labor said after-hours roadwork speed limits were creating unnecessary delays, especially on stretches where limits could fall from 100km/h to 40km/h even when no workers were present.
NSW is now adopting the same approach already in place in Victoria and South Australia.
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the change would “help traffic keep moving, reduce frustration for motorists and make journeys across the state more efficient”.
She said, “Motorists across NSW deserve to spend less time stuck in unnecessary traffic and more time with family and friends, which is why we have made this important change.”
Ms Aitchison also said, “Leaving speed restrictions in place outside of construction hours often slows down traffic movement.”
The NSW government said the update does not reduce road safety protections. Ms Aitchison said the government was “not changing or weakening any rules around safety” and that protecting construction workers and drivers through roadworks remained “critical”.
