Why are there reduced speed limits on roadwork sites when I can’t see work happening?

Sometimes a lower speed limit stays in place at roadwork sites even when no obvious work is occurring.

Reasons can include:

• workers setting up or packing down a site
• changes to the road surface or the centre separation
• new or no line marking on the road
• road workers and equipment on the road or at the side of the road
• Sometimes bad weather delaying roadworks for a long time, and so the lower speed limit must stay until the work is finished.

The pre-roadwork speed limit is the highest safe speed that can be driven on that section of the road in good conditions. When roadworks have altered the state or layout of the road, the pre-roadworks speed limit may no longer be the maximum safe speed. Where this is the case, the speed limit may be increased after hours, but not by the full amount. For example, it may be 40 km/h during working hours, and 60 km/h after hours.

Speed limits on work sites are mandatory, meaning by law you must obey the speed limit and can be fined if you do not.

The need to reduce the speed may not be obvious, but reduced speed limits are for your safety and the safety of road workers.