Fines issued from mobile speed cameras have fallen nearly 90 per cent since warning signs were returned to the roadside in late April, with more drivers taking their cue to check their speed and adhere to the limit.
Data shows an immediate impact on speeding infringements since the reintroduction of portable signs warning motorists before and after they pass a mobile camera.
In the past two months, approximately 6,650 fines were issued from mobile speed cameras across NSW, compared to 55,387 fines in the corresponding period in 2022 – an annual reduction of 88 per cent.
In May and June last year, one in every 311 vehicles passing a roadside camera vehicle was fined. In the same months of this year, one in every 1,663 vehicles has been fined.
In April, the Minns Government announced the completion of the rollout of signs back to mobile speed camera vehicles operated by Transport for NSW.
There are now two signs placed before and one after every mobile speed camera vehicle giving drivers a clear visual cue to make sure they are sticking to the speed limit and to adjust in the interests of safety.
The return of full signage closed the chapter on the former Coalition government’s removal of all signage in 2020 and a series of backflips in 2021 and 2022 that saw rooftop signs on camera vehicles returned first, before a complete capitulation five months before the election, with a promise to return all signage.
The rollout was delayed because warning signs were too large to fit in the boots of the new mobile speed camera vehicles.
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
“The results are in, with large falls in fine revenue as a result of the commonsense return of portable signage to the roadside around speed cameras.
“The fact is the signs should never have been removed and it was the drivers of NSW who paid for the mistake of the previous government through fines and demerit points.
“The Coalition prioritised revenue raising ahead of safety, they removed signage without any consultation and had to be brought kicking and screaming to the sensible return of the signs.
“This is a remarkable drop in infringements, and it is yet more proof that if you give motorists clear signage for their awareness they respond in the right way and road safety is enhanced at those locations. Speeding is the biggest killer on our roads, accounting for almost 41 per cent of the road toll in 2022, so anything we can do to slow drivers down is a positive.
“The Minns Government would rather people slowdown in the first place than receive a fine in the mail two weeks after they commit an offence.
“Drivers need to know that there are more speed cameras on the road than ever before, which along with warning signs are a part of a balanced approach to road safety.
“This Government is willing to reward good driver behaviour rather than just taking the stick of enforcement to them, which is why we have already announced that drivers who maintain a clean record from January 17 until January 17 next year will qualify to have a demerit point removed from their record.”