Advance speed camera warning signs return — at a cost of $7m

Advance mobile speed camera warning signs are back in an almost $7 million “triple backflip” after signs were removed, partially reinstated and, as of this weekend, fully returned.

Advance mobile speed camera warning signs are back in an almost $7 million “triple backflip” after signs were removed, partially reinstated and, as of this weekend, fully returned.

Prior to November 2020, all mobile speed camera vehicle operators were required to carry in their vehicles large A-frame warning signs which they put up ahead of their cars when on duty.

In a move designed to change the culture and behaviour of motorists, the former Coalition government declared it would be removing the warning signs entirely.

The removal triggered a public outcry as $40 million in fines from motorists were accrued in just one year, with the then-state opposition forcing the former government into a partial backflip.

The government declared the signs were to be returned, but only on top of the mobile speed camera vehicles rather than in advance.

However, this was not enough to placate motorists, who declared the signs too small to be seen, with operators accused of “hiding” their vehicles behind bushes or around corners.

In October last year, former roads minister Natalie Ward announced signs would be reinstated with warnings ahead of and after each vehicle.

However, the move hit a snag as many of the mobile speed camera operators had shifted to small vehicles, which could no longer accommodate the larger A-frame signs.

It can now be revealed the cost of operators shifting back to larger vehicles, together with the acquisition of the bigger A-frame warning signs, cost $6.7 million.

As for speeding fines, motorists travelling 10km above the limit were among the hardest hit with a monthly average of 32,553 valued at more than $4.2 million issued in 2021-22.

The yearly total fine revenue for the speeding category over the two years increased from $2.3 million to $50.7 million.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said his government wanted motorists to slow down but that they should be warned to do so.

“I’ve always said I would rather people slow down in the first place then receive a fine in the mail two weeks after they committed the offence,” he said.

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