Speed limits on the M1 motorway will drop to improve road safety during the Commonwealth Games.
Camera IconSpeed limits on the M1 motorway will drop to improve road safety during the Commonwealth Games.

No tolerance for speed demons on Qld's M1

Stuart LaytAAP

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Police have warned motorists travelling on the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast not to test newly reduced speed limits, saying there will be no grace period for anyone caught speeding.

Speeds on the motorway have been dropped by 10km/h from Thursday, in an effort to improve traffic flow and safety.

The efforts appeared to have the opposite effect on the first day, with motorists reporting delays of up to 30 minutes due to increased congestion.

Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the changes meant motorists caught going above the speed limit would be fined.

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"Our message to people is pretty simple - don't speed and you won't have to worry about getting fined," he said on Thursday.

The deputy commissioner clarified that people doing 1km/h over the speed limit likely wouldn't be fined, but pointed out that was the same throughout Queensland.

An additional 346 officers will patrol the motorway from Thursday to help ensure motorists follow the new speed limits

Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety-Queensland Director Narelle Haworth said crashes occur frequently on the M1 because cars expect to go the full speed limit, but can't due to over-congestion.

Additionally, the measure should improve overall road safety.

"If crashes occur at a lower speed we know that the severity of injury of people is actually lower," Professor Haworth told ABC radio.

"People are going to be less seriously hurt."

Prof Haworth said a reduction in crashes would also bring down congestion.

Tow trucks will also be available to clear crashes quickly during the games.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington cast doubt on the measure.

"It's a joke," she said. "When people are sitting in gridlock, they're looking at those signs and wondering how they could go any faster."

The speed limits will revert back to normal after the Games finish.