Drivers Warned as School Speed Fines Surge

Over 1,100 South Australian drivers have been pinged for breaching the state's new 40 kilometre per hour school-zone limits - with more of these zones set to be implemented across the state by the end of the year. IMAGE: Department of Infrastructure and Transport South Australia.

South Australian motorists are being reminded to slow down near schools, after more than 1,100 drivers were caught breaching new 40 kilometre per hour school-zone limits.

The figures come as students return for Term Two, with authorities urging greater awareness during peak drop-off and pick-up periods.

RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says drivers need to be alert to the reduced speed limits, with more zones still to be rolled out across the state.

“Drivers ignoring the new 40km/h speed limits at drop-off and pick-up times may be putting children and other road users at risk around schools,” he said.

“The time-based speed limits have been operating at several schools on main roads since late 2025, and are being rolled out across the state."

“Drivers will be seeing more and more of these time-based speed limits pop up on their daily commutes ... and they need to pay attention to them."

He says the new speed limits are important because they apply in areas where large numbers of children are present, who are particularly vulnerable to road dangers.

Around 160 schools are expected to have the new limits in place by the end of the year, including in regional areas such as Port Lincoln, the Yorke Peninsula, Gawler, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Kalangadoo, Balaklava, Berri, Strathalbyn and Mount Compass.

Drivers are being reminded to observe signage and reduce speed before entering school crossings, with further information available at dit.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/projects/40-km-h-school-speed-limits.