Lawyer slams new mobile speed camera rules for NSW

A new rule that’s seen speeding fines triple has been slammed by an expert who pointed to a suspect “coincidence” around the time it was brought in.

A leading lawyer in dealing with motor accident victims and investigating the real causes of car accidents has strongly criticised new road rules that have seen speeding fines triple in NSW.

The changes, which began rolling out in November, have seen warning signs for mobile speed cameras removed, the number of hours they operate also tripled from 7000 hours per month to 21,000 hours, and a fleet of cars stripped back to look like regular cars parked on the side of the road.

Warnings signs were previously required to be placed 250m ahead of the mobile speed camera, as well as 50m after.

The rules were brought in by the NSW government to save lives. They cited a Monash University Accident Research Centre estimating between 34 and 43 lives per year could be saved by bringing in the changes.

They were spurred by the tragic deaths of four children at Oatlands early last year, after an intoxicated driver mounted the footpath.

Mobile speed cameras no longer come with warning signs in NSW. Picture: Supplied

However, compensation lawyer Robert Bryden, who has over 30 years’ experience in dealing with motor accident victims, argued that the rules will make no difference to road safety.

“A mobile speed camera is not going to stop the actions of a drunk driver when a speed ticket arrives in their letterbox six weeks later,” he said.

“Ten years ago this same government removed 37 fixed speed cameras that were shown to be doing nothing for road safety, and acknowledged that speed cameras didn’t save lives.”

He also offered a cynical theory about the timing of the introduction.

“Is it a coincidence that this takes place when the government is running a large COVID induced deficit?” he asked

“Mobile speed cameras without signs don’t slow traffic down, they just raise revenue. We need drivers to be keeping a proper lookout and concentrating on driving, not staring at their speedometers. The velocity a car travels at has no bearing on the types of accidents we see.”

More than 20,000 news.com.au readers voted in a poll on the rules yesterday, and 62 per cent of them agree with Mr Bryden – saying speeding drivers should be given a warning.

The remaining 38 per cent said they backed the new rules and many pointed out that other Australian states have never warned motorists when they are approaching a mobile speed camera.

According to new figures obtained by 9 News, monthly fines have more than tripled since the changes were brought in, with revenue surging to a record high of almost $2.5 million in December alone.

That figure was under $400,000 for the same month in the previous year.

NSW Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the rules were about saving lives. Picture: Joel Carrett/NCA NewsWire

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the changes were about shifting culture and behaviour.

“We want to make a difference,” he said. “We can’t keep doing what we’re doing, year in, year out, knowing the impact it has on families, loved ones, children and our community.”

However, the rules have been slammed by the state Opposition, with Labor’s roads spokesman John Graham saying the rules appears to be more about revenue raising than saving lives.

Wagga Wagga Nationals MLC Wes Fang has also been an outspoken critic. He says the rules are “absurd” and unfairly target regional motorists.

“These changes aren’t about safety, they are about revenue. The changes also unfairly target rural drivers,” he told news.com.au.

“Andrew Constance didn’t consult regional MPs before making this policy change and it’s a rubbish decision which the public can see straight through and I will continue to fight against.”

The government argues the proof is in the data, with independent modelling from Monash University Accident Research Centre showing these enhancements to the mobile speed camera program may save between 34 and 43 lives, and prevent about 600 serious injuries in NSW each year.

Let us know what you think of the new rules in the comments below, or continue the conversation on Twitter @bengrahamjourno

Originally published as Lawyer slams new mobile speed camera rules for NSW