In Australia, default speed limits are generally 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h in rural areas, but this varies by state and can go up to 110 km/h on some highways, with the Northern Territory allowing 130 km/h in certain spots. Always look for posted signs, as limits change for school zones (often 40 km/h) and other specific areas.
In Australia, we have various speed limits depending on the type of road and level of pedestrian activity. The maximum legal speed a car can travel at is 130km/hour, which exists in a section of a highway in the Northern Territory. Speed is the number one killer on Australian roads.
Speed limits in Australia range from 5 km/h (3.1 mph) shared zones to 130 km/h (81 mph). Speed limit signage is in km/h since metrication on 1 July 1974.
No, driving 10 km/h under the speed limit isn't inherently illegal, but it can become an offense if it unreasonably obstructs traffic, meaning you're causing congestion or disrupting the flow, especially if you're in the wrong lane or on a fast road without good reason. There's no set minimum speed, but police can fine you under laws like Australia's Rule 125 for impeding other drivers, making the legality dependent on road conditions and your actions.
In Australia, speeding is driving even 1 km/h over the posted speed limit. Unlike in some countries where limits are treated as guidelines, Australia enforces strict speed limit penalties.
No, you cannot legally go 5 km/h over the speed limit; any amount over is technically speeding and can result in fines, demerit points, or other penalties, though some sources suggest a slight "tolerance" for minor infringements with speed cameras, and police might give warnings for small excesses like 5-10 km/h, but it's never guaranteed.
The "best" excuse for a speeding ticket appeal is usually a legally recognized defense, like a medical emergency, an unavoidable situation (e.g., vehicle breakdown), or proving the speed detection equipment was faulty, as these address the circumstances of the offense, not just an excuse. Common, though less reliable, excuses involve "I didn't see the sign" or "keeping up with traffic," but these often fail in court; being respectful and challenging the evidence (like radar calibration) offers a better chance.
The roads that have highest maximum imposed speed limit can currently be found in Poland, where drivers can legally cruise along at a respectable 88 mph (140 km/h), secure in the knowledge that if you increase this to 93 mph you will still not be prosecuted by the police, as they generally only enforce the speed limit ...
Can you get a fine for driving too slow? As with speeding fines, fines for unreasonably obstructing other vehicles by driving too slowly vary across Australia, but as there's no fixed “minimum speed”6, any enforcement of penalties may be at the discretion of police, depending on circumstances.
You can get a speeding ticket for going any amount over the limit, but most places have a small tolerance (like 10% + 2 mph or a few km/h) before enforcement cameras consistently catch you; however, a police officer can ticket you for even 1 km/h over, especially in school zones or for higher speeds, leading to fines, demerit points, or license suspension.
On some sections of the Northern Territory's Barkly, Stuart, Victoria and Arnhem highways, the maximum speed limit is 130km/h. Previously, a section of the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek had an open speed limit, making it the only road in Australia with no speed limit at all.
Like the rest of mainland Europe, the Germans use km/h rather than mph that we use here in the UK. For cars and motorbikes, the speed limit in towns and cities is 50 km/h (~31 mph) – unless otherwise stated – and 100 km/h (~62 mph) on non-urban/open roads that are not the motorway/autobahn.
Australia's fastest man is Lachlan Kennedy. OK, maybe we are being a bit cute – because Kennedy is the fastest man over 60 metres.
No, there are currently no roads in Australia with completely unlimited speed limits, though the Northern Territory (NT) historically had sections with no restrictions until they were removed in 2016 for safety reasons, now featuring high posted limits like 130 km/h on some highways. While some roads in the NT previously allowed driving at a safe speed for conditions (effectively unlimited), these were replaced by specific speed limits, making the Stuart Highway's former unrestricted stretch a thing of the past.
You have been caught exceeding the speed limit by a considerable amount and may face a fine of 125-175% of your weekly income, along with six penalty points or a driving ban. Depending on the severity of the offence, it may result in a dangerous driving charge that can result in imprisonment.
New South Wales (NSW) regulations are fairly restrictive, especially red P plate (P1) and green P plate (P2) rules. When in NSW, you must follow these rules: Maximum speed limit: Up to 90 km/h for L and P1 drivers. Up to 100 km/h for P2 driver.
Speed cameras trigger based on a set limit plus a tolerance, often around 10% + 2 mph (or ~3 km/h) over the posted limit, though this varies by region and camera type (fixed vs. average). While you can be caught at 1 mph over, authorities typically enforce at higher thresholds, like 4-10 mph over in a 30-40 mph zone, with some systems subtracting minor equipment error, effectively giving you a buffer.
The section between Balladonia and Caiguna includes what is regarded as the longest straight stretch of road in Australia and one of the longest in the world. The road stretches for 146.6 kilometres (91.1 mi) without turning, and is signposted and commonly known as the "90 Mile Straight".
No, with 24 demerit points (in most Australian states like SA, QLD, NSW), you cannot drive as you've exceeded the threshold for your full license (usually 12 points in 3 years), triggering an automatic suspension for 5 months or more, meaning driving is illegal and risks fines, vehicle impounding, and even jail time. Your specific state's road authority (e.g., Service NSW, Transport for Vic) will send a suspension notice, and you'll need to serve the suspension period before driving again.
The German Autobahn is renowned for its sections without speed limits, attracting speed enthusiasts from around the world.
Yes — but only in specific conditions. On some unrestricted sections of the German Autobahn, you can legally drive 200 mph (approximately 322 km/h) if your car is capable and the area has no posted speed limit. These stretches are usually outside urban zones, on straight, well-maintained highways with multiple lanes.
According to experts, 55 mph is the safest speed when driving on a rural highway. Meanwhile, on residential roads, the recommended speed is between 10 and 25 mph.
You can:
The most believable excuses are short, specific, and tied to legitimate responsibilities or unavoidable situations. Examples include sudden illness, a medical appointment that couldn't be scheduled outside work hours, urgent family needs, or car/transportation issues.
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