Warning signs for mobile speed cameras will return in New South Wales just nine months after the state government packed them away.
Following a public backlash and a dramatic spike in fines, the NSW Government has made a U-turn on its decision to not caution the motorists with fixed signage.
About 28,000 fines were issued in February 2021, the shortest month of the year, which totalled about $6.1 million in revenue – more than the $5.7 million fines issued during last financial year.
The spike in motorists’ fines was also partly due to the NSW Government’s lowering of the speeding threshold at which drivers are fined.
NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance yesterday announced the return of fixed warning signs across the state, with 1,000 permanent static signs for speed cameras being rolled out this month.
The fixed signs will supplement messaging on the existing 360 variable message signs and a comprehensive advertising campaign.
Minister Constance justified the government’s earlier decision, noting the change in driver behaviour.
“We are already seeing a change in driver behaviour, with 3.5 drivers caught by the cameras per hour of enforcement in June, compared with 5 drivers per hour in February, and we want that downward trend to continue with these new signs,” Mr Constance said.
“Speeding is the biggest killer on our roads, with almost 50 per cent of fatalities last year caused by someone travelling at an inappropriate speed.
“This year that has already dropped to around 40 per cent. In the 2020-21 financial year, the number of deaths on NSW roads dropped by 56 compared with the last three financial year average,” he said.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said fine revenue goes towards lifesaving road safety infrastructure, particularly on regional roads where almost 70 per cent of our fatalities occur each year.
“Every dollar goes to the Community Road Safety Fund which is reinvested back into road safety, including audio tactile line markings, flexible safety barriers, wide centre lines, speed humps and raised pedestrian crossings,” Mr Toole said.
“We’ve got 17 kilometres of flexible median barrier being installed on the Kamilaroi Highway from Baan Baa to Turrawan by 2023, and more than 2,000 kilometres of rumble strips going on to the Newell Highway from Tocumwal to Boggabilla by 2022.
“Whether you are travelling far from home or just around the corner, please stick to the speed limit, drive safely to keep yourself and others safe, and remember you can be caught anywhere, anytime.”
The motorists’ association NRMA has backed the move to reintroduce warning signs.
“The NRMA has always argued that warning signs were a critical part of the mobile speed camera program, and we maintain that view today,” spokesman Peter Khoury told The Australian.
“This is a positive and necessary outcome.”
Fatalities on NSW roads have increased so far this year, with 147 deaths in the first half of the year, compared with 143 in the first half of last year, according to Transport for NSW figures.
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