Anticipated Australian Road Rules Australian road traffic fines are remaining steady at roughly $964. For the changes being made in road safety enforcement Australia seeks to protect all road users, especially those working on the roadside. Every driver must know the changes in the law.
Injunction of Stricter Traffic Safety Laws
As of July 1, 2025, Australia has fully integrated stricter road regulations across the states and territories, especially on slowing down near incident response and breakdown vehicles. In Victoria, 40 km/h is the new legal limit within the new laws post July 2025. To and fro any stationary vehicles along with police and ambulance vehicles (including tow trucks and roadside assistance) are to be treated with similar road laws. In all of Australia Victoria has the lowest fines of $961 for this law. In South Australia fines of $1,648 are imposed for not slowing to 25 km/h for recovery vehicles on multi-lane roads. South Australia has pushed it further.
Reasons for Concern
The authorities say these changes were motivated by disturbing statistics, as well as by the everyday experiences of roadside workers. Every year, over 820,000 Victorians use roadside assistance, and incidents where drivers do not slow down are one of the most common roadside team risk cases. Emergency patrol team surveys showed overwhelming consensus on the need for a lowered speed limit near breakdown vehicles, marking these changes as essential for employee safety.
National Crackdown: Mobile Phones and Seatbelts
At the same time, Australia has implemented new camera systems in all states designed to catch drivers using mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts, even if the cars are stopped at red lights. Mobile phone use incurs penalties of 1,209AUD and 5 demerit points. There are even larger penalties for not wearing a seatbelt.
Major Fines and Offences at a Glance
| Offence | Typical Fine (2025) | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| Fail to slow (Victoria) | $961 | Varies |
| Fail to slow (S. Aus) | $1,648 | Up to 7 |
| Phone use | $1,209 | 5 |
| Seatbelt offence | $407–$814 | 3–5 |
Expert Tips to Avoid Costly Mistakes
The best way to avoid the risk of large penalties is to be aware of and adapt to the changes:
- Always slow down to the required speed when approaching breakdown or incident response vehicles with visible flashing lights.
- Pay special attention to speed zone signage, especially in pedestrian or special risk areas where new lower limits may apply.
- Never use your mobile phone or take off your seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion. It doesn’t matter if you are at the traffic lights– there are cameras everywhere.
- To stay up to date, remember every state has its own unique rules. It is best to check the official transport website every so often.
FAQS
Q1. Why was there a $961 fine in Victoria?
Because of the numerous reports of near misses and the increased concern of road deaths, it was to provide greater coverage to a wider range of roadside workers.
Q2. Are these the same rules in all states?
No, there is minor rule variations for every state. For example, South Australia has a higher fine and the speed rule variations.
Q3. What is the extent of the new camera surveillance?
Cameras are used Australia wide to monitor seatbelt and mobile phone use laws as well as to cover vehicles even while at stationary intersections.
