Sunshine Coast drivers will be hit with $40 fines for leaving their cars unlocked at the beach this summer.

Motorists leaving their cars unlocked were previously issued warning notices by police, but will now be issued $40 fines instead, the Sunshine Coast Daily has reported.

The Sunshine Coast Daily has reported that police would be getting tough on offending motorists.

Readers' feedback on the story called the law "draconian", "merely revenue raising" and another case of the "nanny state".

Under section 213 of the 1995 Transport Operations Act motorists are required to lock their car if they move more than three meters from it.