Companies responsible for traffic management during roadworks on state roads will face fines if they leave speed limit signs on the road when they are not required.

Under the new regulations, which start on April 5, fines of up to $1,250 may be imposed if incorrect speed limit signage is in place when work isn’t taking place and there is no requirement from a safety perspective.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard says the state government is keen to ensure temporary traffic management used around worksites keeps both workers and road users safe but without unnecessary disruptions.

“With a record $16.7 billon infrastructure spend rolling out over the next four years there’s plenty of road works occurring across the state – improving safety and creating jobs,” Minister Wingard says.

“This is ensuring that contractors don’t leave speed limit signs up when they’re not needed, holding up traffic and creating unnecessary disruptions.

“Fines can now be issued to any contractor who breaches their permit conditions because we need to make sure our pipeline of works roll out seamlessly.

“We want to make sure road workers and motorists are safe but we also want to ensure we keep traffic moving.

“We know that just a few weeks ago there was an instance on the SE Freeway that saw traffic slowed to 40km/h during peak time when in fact it should have been 60km/h.

“I completely understand the frustration that caused and that’s why I’m keen to crackdown on those who don’t adhere to the regulations.”

Minister Wingard has written to stakeholders that are major road traffic management companies who are pre-approved to undertake traffic management on DIT roads to inform them of the changes.

The Traffic Management Association of Australia Treasurer Andrew White applauded the South Australian government's commitment to the safety of road users and roadworkers with the introduction of the Regulations, which build on the existing Road Traffic Act.

Mr White says introduction of the Regulation would provide an educative function for companies involved in traffic management and assist with compliance.

"Safety is central to our industry and the Regulations will provide a platform to introduce and educate the industry and the public in regulatory safety on and around roadworks," he says.