The South Australian Government will begin rolling out new 40km/h time-based speed limits on arterial roads near schools, aiming to improve safety for students travelling to and from class.
The first signs will be installed in early November at Marryatville High School, Goodwood Primary and St Thomas School. Both standard and electronic signs will be used, supported by updated safety cameras to enforce the new limits.
The speed restrictions will apply on school days from 8am to 9.30am and from 2pm to 4pm. They will not operate on weekends, public holidays or during school holidays, and will not replace the existing 25km/h school zones on local roads.
The initiative follows a crash near Marryatville High School in March 2023 that left two students seriously injured. A review of crossings after the incident identified the need to slow vehicles down on busy roads during drop-off and pick-up times.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said student safety was at the centre of the change. “The safety of our students is our top priority,” he said. “The incident near Marryatville High School was horrific and should have never happened. That’s why our government is acting, implementing a speed limit that will create a safer environment for our school students and their families.
“By reducing vehicle speeds during peak school-drop and pick-up times, we are giving drivers more time to react and reducing the risk of serious injuries or fatalities. Safety is a shared responsibility, and this is an opportunity for the whole community to come together and help make our roads safer for students, families, and the wider community.”
Superintendent Shane Johnson, Officer in Charge of SA Police Traffic Services Branch, said enforcement would be a priority. “South Australia Police will support changes to speed limits in school zones by continuing to monitor driving in these areas and enforcing traffic laws,” he said.
“Drivers should always be aware of an increased presence of vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians in school zones. Speeding can result in serious consequences for drivers including fines, a loss of demerit points or licence, or most significantly, can result in serious injury or loss of life.”
RAA Senior Manager of Road Safety, Charles Mountain, said the lower limits would make a difference. “This is an important change that will help to protect our most vulnerable road users—our children,” he said. “Many of these locations are subject to high levels of traffic and even red-light running, so the new 40km/h time-based speed limit should improve safety during peak periods. RAA encourages drivers to take extra care on roads near schools where there are lots of young pedestrians and cyclists heading to and from class each day.”
Around 150 schools will have the new limits introduced by the end of 2026, with the next schools chosen according to their proximity to busy roads, traffic volumes and crash history. Among them are Avenues College in Windsor Gardens, Cabra Dominican College in Cumberland Park, Flinders Park Primary, Golden Grove High, Mercedes College in Netherby, and Westbourne Park Primary.
The program is being delivered with funding support from the $168 million National Road Safety Program and a further $2.36 million committed in the 2024-25 State Budget.
Schools to receive new speed limit
• Avenues College, Sudholz Rd, Windsor Gardens
• Cabra Dominican College, Cross Rd, Cumberland Park
• Charles Campbell College, Gorge Rd, Paradise
• East Torrens Primary School, Montacute Rd, Hectorville
• Flinders Park Primary School, Holbrooks Rd, Flinders Park
• Gleeson College, The Grove Way and the Golden Way, Golden Grove
• Golden Grove High School, The Grove Way and the Golden Way, Golden Grove
• Hendon Primary School, West Lakes Boulevard, Royal Park
• Hope Christian College, Yorktown Rd, Craigmore
• Immanuel Lutheran School-Gawler East, Lyndoch Rd, Gawler East
• Kilkenny Primary School, Port Road, West Croydon
• Mercedes College, Fullarton Rd, Netherby
• Mitcham Girls High School, Belair Rd, Kingswood
• Nazareth Catholic College Middle School, Holbrooks Rd, Flinders Park
• Parkside Primary School, Glen Osmond Rd, Parkside
• Pedare Christian College, The Golden Way, Golden Grove
• Plympton Primary School, Marion Rd, Plympton
• Portside Christian School, Bower Rd and Causeway Rd, New Port
• Seaton High School, Frederick Rd, Seaton
• St Francis of Assisi School, Newton Rd, Newton
• St Joseph’s School-Tranmere, Magill Rd, Tranmere
• Temple Christian College, James Congdon Dr, Mile End
• Thomas More College, Kings Rd, Salisbury Downs
• Walford Anglican School for Girls and Junior School, Unley Rd, Hyde Park
• Westbourne Park Primary School, Goodwood Rd, Westbourne Park
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