Several of our beaches have posted speed limits as low as 10km/h. On beaches without a specific speed limit, the 100km/hr default limit applies under the current law.

From 2017 to 2021, there were 29 reported crashes on SA’s beaches, resulting in one fatality, 15 serious injuries and 13 minor injuries. Speed was a factor in half of these crashes.

In response to these alarming figures, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) conducted an online survey earlier this year with four choices for changing the current default limit:

1. A default beach speed limit of 40 km/h.
2. A default beach speed limit of 25 km/h.
3. A default beach speed limit of 40 km/h and 25 km/h when passing or within
   100 metres of a pedestrian.
4. No change to current default speed limits.

More than 80 per cent of the 2651 respondents, including RAA, were keen on a lower limit. Option three was the most popular, with South Australians overwhelmingly in support of making our beautiful beaches safer for all users.

Slower speeds will also reduce the danger to our unique wildlife and lessen the impact on coastal vegetation.

With community feedback in mind, DIT will decide on a new default speed limit for beaches by the end of 2023.