Excessive speed

Elements of the offence

As of 1st December 2005 a new offence of Driving at excessive speed exists [s.45A Road Traffic Act 1961 ]. The offence occurs when a driver exceeds the speed limit by 45 kilometres an hour or more.

Penalties

An expiation fee of $500 applies and service of an expiation notice will attract a disqualification notice under section 45B Road Traffic Act 1961 . The disqualification notice has the effect of suspending a person’s licence. Under section 45B police have the power to impose licence disqualification or suspension by issuing such a notice. The suspension operates for a period of 6 months, commencing:

if the notice is given to a person who has been given an expiation notice for an offence under s 45A, 24 hours after the person is given the notice
if the notice is given to a person who has been given an expiation notice for an offence against s 79B, 28 days after the person is given notice or, if the person is already suspended or disqualified at that time, at the end of that period of suspension or disqualification

If a court convicts a person the penalty will be:

For a first offence, a fine of not less than $600 and not more than $1,000 and disqualification for a minimum of 6 months;
For a second or subsequent offence, a fine of not less than $700 and not more than $1,200 and disqualification for a minimum of 2 years

Previous convictions counted if within 5 years

In determining whether an offence is a first or subsequent offence, a previous conviction or expiation for an offence against s45A or s46 (reckless and dangerous driving) will be counted if committed within 5 years of the offence in question.

Where speed limit signs are placed on a road in relation to road works these will not be of any effect for the purposes of s 45A unless one or more workers are present in the work area. This means that, if the usual speed limit is 50 km/h but signs are placed near road works on that length of road indicating a speed limit of 40 km/h past the road works, then a person travelling at 90 km/h on that length of road will not be guilty of the offence of excessive speed unless workers are present at the work area. If no workers are present the person will, however, still be guilty of the normal speeding offence against the Australian Road Rules.