{"id":41825,"date":"2026-07-01T01:25:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T01:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/41825\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T01:25:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T01:25:07","slug":"controversial-road-rule-axed-for-millions-of-aussie-drivers-from-today-unnecessary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/41825\/","title":{"rendered":"Controversial road rule axed for millions of Aussie drivers from today: ‘Unnecessary’"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was an election promise<\/a> \u2014 and now one state has made good on its plans to scrap a controversial road rule<\/a> that, as of today, has been abolished.<\/p>\n

In New South Wales, drivers will no longer be required to slow down around construction sites or roadworks<\/a> after hours.<\/p>\n

That means those temporary speed limit reductions of 40 kilometres per hour<\/a> \u2014 that are put in place to protect working crews<\/a> \u2014 won’t apply if the site is no longer in use or if construction has ended for the day.<\/p>\n

NSW Labor said the previous rule impacted motorists in the bush in particular, and took the rule change to the last election.<\/p>\n

Now, as of July 1, it’s made good on the promise.<\/p>\n

Drivers must still comply with signposted speed limits<\/a>, but temporary roadwork speed limit signs are required to be removed outside work hours whenever it is safe.<\/p>\n

The reform stems from a pre-election pledge following a parliamentary inquiry, which raised concerns about motorists being required to slow down at empty sites.<\/p>\n

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the move is aimed at keeping “traffic moving”.<\/p>\n

“[It will] help traffic keep moving, reduce frustration for motorists and make journeys across the state more efficient,” she told The Daily Telegraph<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Leaving speed restrictions in place outside of construction hours often slows down traffic movement.”<\/p>\n

Aitchison said protecting construction workers remained “critical,” insisting that the new rules wouldn’t come at the cost of safety.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Drivers will no longer be required to slow down around construction sites or roadworks after hours.<\/p>\n

(Adjie Rusli via Getty Images)What are some July 1 changes across Australia?<\/p>\n

The new guidelines come as a raft of new laws is introduced across Australia today to mark the start of the new financial year.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/p>\n

It’s a period when governments often roll out a range of changes, including new road rules, toll increases, and other legislative adjustments.<\/p>\n

Nationally, today, major Medicare reform is coming for women,<\/a> and so too is one of the\u00a0“most significant changes” to superannuation<\/a>, while\u00a0supermarket price gouging rules<\/a>\u00a0will take effect.<\/p>\n

In NSW, learner and provisional riders are required to wear high-visibility vests<\/a> or jackets and approved protective gloves, aimed at making them more visible to other road users<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Road-related fines <\/a>have also risen by 2.65 per cent in the state.<\/p>\n

In Queensland<\/a>, it’s also when the state will introduce tougher rules for e-bikes and personal mobility devices (PMDs)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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