Major road rule changes coming into effect on July 1 across Australia

A long list of new road rules is coming into effect across Australia in just days. Source: RACV

A sweeping set of road rule changes is being introduced across Australia from July 1, with tougher penalties, cutting-edge enforcement technology and nationally consistent speed limits designed to crack down on dangerous driving behaviours.

From hefty fines over $1000 for mobile phone use to new obligations when passing roadside assistance vehicles, drivers in many states are being urged to brush up on the new rules — or risk paying the price. In some cases, non-compliance could cost thousands and trigger licence suspensions. 

What’s changing nationwide

Mobile phone use will be under stricter surveillance than ever, as AI-powered detection cameras — capable of identifying drivers holding or touching their phones even at red lights — are activated or expanded nationwide. Penalties vary by state, but can exceed $1,000 and five demerit points.

School zones and high pedestrian areas will also face speed limit changes across several states. 

From July 1, Victoria requires drivers to slow to 40 km/h when passing roadside assistance vehicles. Source: Victorian Government

Victoria

From July 1, Victoria will expand Road Rule 79A, requiring drivers to slow to 40 km/h when passing roadside assistance vehicles, including tow trucks, breakdown support and incident response units — as long as flashing lights are activated and workers are visible. This rule previously applied only to emergency vehicles. The penalty: a fine of up to $961, but no demerit points.

In high-pedestrian areas and school zones, there will also be speed reductions to 30 kilometres per hour. 

New South Wales

Starting July 1, NSW becomes the first state to apply average speed cameras to light vehicles — including cars and motorbikes. These cameras, already in place for heavy vehicles, will be active on the Hume and Pacific Highways. A grace period with warning notices has been running since May 1, 2025, but enforcement with fines will begin from July 1.

NSW is phasing out ticketless parking fines, addressing concerns over drivers unknowingly receiving fines without physical notices.

In NSW, average speed cameras will soon monitor all vehicles, expanding from the previous trial in which only heavy vehicles were targeted. Source: Lithgow Mercury

Queensland

As of July 1, Queensland is introducing a 3.5 per cent increase to fines across a range of offences, including speeding, seatbelt violations and mobile phone use. Distracted driving will be a particular focus, with enhanced enforcement tech and a tougher approach to infringement. 

Queensland is set to reduce speed limits from 50 to 40 km/h in select tourist and residential areas, including the Hervey Bay Esplanade and various urban neighbourhoods. 

South Australia

South Australia's latest road rule change requiring drivers to slow down to 25 km/h when passing stationary breakdown service vehicles displaying flashing amber lights came into effect on May 19. The change extends the current protections for emergency vehicles and is part of a broader safety campaign.

South Australia will also introduce 40 km/h speed limits across inner-city councils in the Adelaide metropolitan area, along with 10 km/h limits in shared pedestrian zones. 

In South Australia, if drivers spot roadside assistance taking place, they're now legally required to slow down to 25km/h. Source: StreetSmarts

Western Australia

From July 1, 2025, Western Australia will introduce a sweeping set of road rule changes aimed at improving road safety and reducing the state’s road toll. 

Fines for traffic offences will increase significantly, including up to $700 and five demerit points for mobile phone use, and more than $1,600 for excessive speeding. Repeat offenders face licence suspensions. New AI-powered cameras will also begin detecting speeding, seatbelt non-compliance, and phone use, with enforcement to begin after a warning period concluding in May 2025.

The state will also launch a three-year trial lowering speed limits on over 1,800 regional roads in the Busselton and Augusta–Margaret River areas, aiming to improve safety in high-risk areas. Meanwhile, off-road vehicle owners will be able to register their bikes online, removing the need for in-person paperwork.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo News Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/major-road-rule-changes-coming-into-effect-on-july-1-across-australia-073739336.html