You Lapse, You Lose.

Driving over the speed limit is a lapse. And on the road, you lapse? You lose. Even speeding just a few kilometres over the limit will cost you $309, but it could cost you much more. Your licence, your job, your reputation and your life are at stake when you speed.

Watch “The dangers of speeding”

Speeding is driving faster than the posted speed limit. It also means driving too fast for the conditions and the driver’s skill and experience.

Speeding is one of the major killers on Queensland roads. On average 58 people are killed and 295 seriously injured each year on Queensland roads as a result of speed-related crashes. Many of those hospitalised will suffer from the effects of their injuries for the rest of their lives³.

Driving within the speed limit maximises your stopping distance, giving you more time to react to:

  • the actions of other road users around you like vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists
  • changes to the road environment itself such as pot holes and obstacles.

Speeding quick quiz

Think you know your stuff? Take this quiz and test yourself about the dangers of speeding.

Take this quiz

More on speeding

Car speeding down the road in a 60 km/h zone

Speed limits on Queensland’s roads

Ever wondered why one road has a speed limit that’s different to another similar road or how speed limits are set?

Find out more
View from motorbike rider perspective onto the road

Speeding fines and penalties

Did you know the average fine for speeding is equivalent to 5 hours work (based on the average Queensland wage). Find out the penalties, fines, double demerit points, organisational penalties for speeding and how to pay an infringement notice.

Find out more

References

1. Kloeden CN, McLean AJ, Moore VM, Ponte G, 1997 Travelling Speed and the Risk of Crash Involvement Volume 1: Findings NHMRC Road Accident Research Unit The University of Adelaide.

2. Doecke, S., & Kloeden, C.N. (2014). The accuracy of determining speeding directly from mass crash data and using the NSW Centre for Road Safety method. Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety, 25(1), 35–41

3. Footprints Market Research (2022). Department of Transport and Main Roads Driver Attitudes & Behaviour State-wide Research.