NSW reaches record month for mobile speed cameras fines

Much of NSW was in lockdown but August was still a record month for mobile speed cameras issuing fines for low-range speeding at extraordinary rates after warning signs were removed.

Secret mobile speed cameras generated a record $3.9 million in low-range speeding fines in August, despite much of the state being in lockdown.

More than 22,000 fines were issued by mobile speed cameras last month for cars driving 10km/h over the speed limit or less – more than eight times the number of fines issued in August last year.

The newly-released data shows August was the highest revenue raising month on record for low range speeding from mobile speed cameras, despite Greater Sydney being in strict lockdown for the whole period.

So far in 2021, $26.2 million in fines have been issued by the secret mobile speed cameras for low range speeding, 13 times higher than the amount raised in the same period in 2020.

In six months of 2021, monthly fines for low-range speeding from the mobile cameras totalled more than $3 million.

A new record number of fines were issued in August from mobile speed cameras for low-ramnge speeding despite the lockdown. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The major escalation in mobile speed camera fines began when warning signs were removed. The cameras have now begun to operate for more hours each month, increasing the number of fines issued.

The cameras are also enforcing speed limits on both sides of the street, something which wasn’t possible when warning signs were required.

Labor leader Chris Minns said the latest figures provide further proof that removing warning signs hasn’t worked to reduce speeding.

“How much more evidence does this Government need that this policy isn’t working, that this is a blatant revenue raising exercise,” he said.

“We are in the midst of a pandemic and the last thing drivers need is to be slugged with low range speeding fines,” Mr Minns said.

Mr Minns has pledged to reinstate warning signs in front of each mobile speed camera if elected to government.

Labor’s roads spokesman John Graham said the program has “been completely bungled”.

“This is a controversial program and motorists are right to ask questions about whether this is simply a revenue raising measure,” he said.

The fines were issued from 8,653 hours of enforcement. This will increase to 21,000 hours per month by the end of the year.

Transport for NSW’s Tara McCarthy said 79 people have died in speeding-related crashes so-far this year, 22 fewer than the same time in 2020.

“The mobile speed camera program is not about revenue raising – it is about saving lives,” the Deputy Secretary said.

“There is no such thing as safe speeding.”

Originally published as NSW reaches record month for mobile speed cameras fines