Huge road rule change means NSW drivers can finally ignore roadwork speed limits after hours

By MATT JONES, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:55, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 00:55, 3 July 2026 NSW drivers will no longer have to crawl through roadworks when no one is working under changes introduced by the Minns government. The law will require temporary speed limits in all roadwork zones across the state to be managed in line with new standards from Transport for NSW. It means drivers won't have to slow down to 40km/h when driving through roadworks if no work is being carried out. The state government has long argued that enforcing roadwork speed limits after hours unfairly impacted drivers in regional areas, where speed limits could drop from 100km/h to 40km/h even when no work was being done. The new rules state that if there are no workers on site and it is outside work hours, the roadwork speed limit will be increased, provided it is safe for motorists and pedestrians. The changes introduced by the Minns government are designed to help motorists reach their destinations safely and efficiently without being unnecessarily slowed down. All drivers must comply with the posted speed limit, including where speed limits are reduced due to roadworks. NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the changes will 'help traffic keep moving'. NSW drivers won't have to slow down when driving through roadworks as long as no work is being done The state government insists roadworkers will still be safe under the rule changes  Drivers have long been frustrated by having to slow down when roadworks aren't being conducted after hours or on weekends 'Motorists across NSW deserve to spend less time stuck in unnecessary traffic and more time with family and friends, which is why we have made this important change,' Aitchison said. 'This change will help traffic keep moving, reduce frustration for motorists and make journeys across the state more efficient.' Aitchison stressed that the changes would not make roadworkers any less safe while on the job. 'Protecting construction workers and motorists around worksites is critical. We are not changing or weakening any rules around safety,' she said. 'But as everyone has experienced, leaving speed restrictions in place outside of construction hours often slows down traffic movement.' She said the speed limit can only be increased if it is safe to do so for both motorists and pedestrians. The changes follow similar rule changes in Victoria and South Australia. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.