Mobile speed camera revenue jump spent on road safety improvements
More safety barriers, wider centre-lines and rumble strips will be among road upgrades to be completed as part of $135 million in funding for new safety measures paid for by a surge in mobile speed camera fines
NSW
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More safety barriers, wider centre-lines and rumble strips will be among road upgrades to be completed as part of $135 million in funding for new safety measures paid for by a surge in mobile speed camera fines.
In announcing the latest round of road safety spending, Mr Constance defended the decision to remove warning signs from mobile speed cameras and triple their monthly hours of operation.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced on Wednesday that 78 new safety projects funded through the Community Road Safety Fund will be completed this year.
“This year we will see $43 million go towards projects across metropolitan NSW, with the other $92 million dedicated to the regions,” he said.
It comes as figures released by the government revealed mobile speed cameras caught 21 vehicles speeding more than 45km/h over the speed limit.
Over a three-month period since the warning signs were removed, one camera on the Hume Highway in Casula nabbed 10 vehicles going more than 120km/h in a 70km/h zone, the figures showed.
Labor has accused the government of a “cash grab” by removing warning signs from mobile speed cameras, a move which saw fines skyrocket.
Mr Constance said the money raised goes “straight back into safety”.
“Anyone who wants to fight road safety initiatives, as far as I’m concerned, has blood on their hands,” Mr Constance said.
A spate of road safety improvements were announced on Wednesday, including 28km of safety barriers, 167km of rumble strips on the side of lanes and more than 30km of wide centre-line.
The latest round of road safety initiatives will include 313 high risk rural curve improvements and 47 urban intersection upgrades.
Mr Constance said the speed-related deaths on our roads have dropped since warning signs were removed.
He again referred to modelling from Monash University showing the changes to mobile speed cameras could save up to 43 lives per year as a justification for the government’s decision.
Mr Constance said he wants the secret report to be released but couldn’t say when it would be made public.
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Originally published as Mobile speed camera revenue jump spent on road safety improvements
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