NSW mobile speed camera fine revenue spike inquiry gets bipartisan support

Almost $15 million has been raised from mobile speed cameras this year, prompting an inquiry into the removal of warning signs.

A massive spike in mobile speed camera fines will be probed by a powerful parliamentary committee dominated by government MPs.

The Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety this week resolved to hold an inquiry into changes to mobile speed cameras — including removing warning signs and tripling their hours of operation.

Fine revenue has jumped since signage warning of upcoming mobile speed cameras was removed.

It comes as new data reveals the total amount of money raised by fines in March has now been revised up by more than $1 million.

Revenue NSW has added an additional 10,000 fines to the March total, taking the amount raised in fines to almost $6.33 million – the highest month on record for revenue.

Almost $4.75 million was raised by mobile speed camera fines in April, but if previous trends continue, that amount is likely to be revised up when next month’s data is released.

The decision to hold the inquiry was supported by MPs across party lines, with a call for the inquiry signed by a number of government MPs.

It comes after growing anger from within the Coalition about removing camera warning signs, which MPs allege is a “cash grab” that will particularly hurt bush drivers.

Almost $24 million in fines have been issued by mobile speed cameras since the warning signs were removed.

The parliamentary inquiry will examine the impact of the changes on drivers in regional and rural areas and people of low socio-economic backgrounds.

It will also examine “research, modelling, and the evidence” which were used to inform the changes.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance has repeatedly referenced secret modelling from Monash University to justify removing the warning signs from mobile speed cameras, saying the modelling shows removing the signs and increasing camera hours “may save between 34 to 43 lives” each year.

Submissions to the inquiry close on July 9.

Originally published as NSW mobile speed camera fine revenue spike inquiry gets bipartisan support