MOTORISTS need to take roadworks speed limits seriously for the sake of the workers, says Bob Handy, project director of the Kennedy Dr upgrade.

The most travelled roadworks zones in the area are those on Kennedy Dr and the motorway upgrade at Banora Point, where there have been seven traffic accidents this year.

Mr Handy said drivers needed to understand the importance of driving cautiously around roadworks.

"We weigh 80 kilos, a car weighs a tonne-and-a-half," Mr Handy said.

"We lose every time."

Tweed mayor Barry Longland urged drivers to be aware of why these speed restrictions were put in place and enforced.

"Those speed limits are all about protecting workers from injury or death … as well as protecting drivers," he said.

"If observation of the speed limit occurs, it tends to ensure that these roadworks can proceed as quickly as possible."

Cr Longland said police enforcement needed to occur in roadwork zones.

"There's probably a perception amongst drivers that there is a lower risk of getting caught in roadworks zones," he said.

Sergeant Gary Bowman said the penalties for speeding in a roadworks zone were no different from penalties for speeding anywhere else.

"Speeding fines are based on how far over the speed limit the driver is," Sgt Bowman said.

An RTA representative said there were good reasons for the speed restrictions.

"[They] give motorists significantly more response time in situations when they need to take action to avoid a crash," the representative said.

"Roadwork speed limits often remain in place when workers are not on site, as the changed road environment still increases the risk of a crash."