Speed bumpAustralia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Australia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


9. Speed bump

A speed bump is a raised traffic-calming device placed across all or part of a road to make drivers reduce their speed. It is commonly used near homes, schools, crossings, parking areas and other places where low vehicle speeds are important.

Speed bumps vary in shape, height and legal status. Drivers should approach them at a low, controlled speed and follow any warning signs or speed limits that apply.

Speed hump on the road to Brisbane Boys' College. (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
Wikimedia.org • Kgbo • CC BY-SA
How should I recognise and approach a speed bump in Australia?

Traffic-calming devices can be humps, cushions or raised platforms. In New South Wales, read them together with the local signs, speed limit and any pedestrian-crossing markings; rules in other states and territories must be checked separately.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — speed-bump

Warning for a speed bump. Warning for a speed bump.

English • W5-10 • Road hump. A road hump is ahead. Slow down to cross it safely.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.nsw.gov.au • Transport for NSW • W5-10 road hump drawing

SVG source: Standards Australia • Public domain • Original revision 2024-09-19. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Qld.gov.au • official published diagram W5-10.

Which speed should I use at a raised device in Australia?

In New South Wales, obey the signed limit and drive safely for the conditions. A speed hump is not a general permission to drive at the maximum or a reason to disregard a lower local limit.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — speed-bump

Does a raised road surface give pedestrians priority in Australia?

A raised road surface alone does not establish pedestrian priority in Australia. Identify whether the device incorporates a designated crossing and apply the relevant state or territory rules. In New South Wales, give way to pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing and approach slowly enough to stop. A driver turning at an intersection must also give way to pedestrians crossing the road being entered under the applicable rules.

🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — speed-bump

1 Australia 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Advisory speed 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Bridge 9 Speed bump 10 Toll road 11 One-way traffic 12 Slope 13 Bus stop 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 Mandatory direction 20 Turn prohibition 21 School area 22 Crossing animals 23 Slippery road 24 Curve 25 Chevron 26 Wrong-way driving 27 Height limit 28 Radar speed sign 29 Selective barriers 30 Traffic lights 31 Traffic lights warning 32 Pedestrian lights 33 Road markings 34 Left-hand traffic 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Emergency telephone 38 No parking 39 No stopping 40 Disabled parking 41 Traffic management 42 Reversing 43 U-turn 44 Uncontrolled crossroad 45 Oversize load 46 Licence plate 47 Charging station 48 Local traffic 49 Moped 50 Truck 51 Bus 52 Police 53 Ambulance 54 Pothole 55 Path 56 Particulates 57 Air pollution 58 Rush hour 59 Road code 60 Two-way traffic 61 Street gutter 62 Cargo bike 63 Forestry vehicle 64 Construction vehicle 65 Semi-trailer truck 66 Trolleybus 67 Speed pedelec 68 Delivery vehicle 69 Idling 70 Tow truck 71 Four-wheel drive 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ...