NSW speeding fines hit $7m during peak of coronavirus lockdown
Despite traffic on some major highways dipping by more than half during the COVID lockdown, police issued speeding tickets have spiked to more than $7m. SEE THE SPEEDING HOTSPOTS.
NSW
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Despite April being the height of lockdown with regional travel banned and many staying home for the holidays, the Easter month had the most speeding fines since the year began.
It was the most expensive April for speeding tickets in three years, with NSW Police dishing out more than $7 million in fines to motorists, compared to $6.7 million in April last year.
April saw more fines than March, which had $5.9 million.
The police patrol dishing out the most fines was Goulburn Highway Patrol, who handed out 103 speeding tickets totalling $338,655 in April alone.
This is despite the Hume Highway near Goulburn having a massive downturn in traffic during April, seeing 9,750 fewer cars pass through than in March.
Macquarie Fields took the number two spot, with 935 speeding fines totalling $300,337.
The Hume Highway at nearby Casula had one of the biggest traffic reductions, with more than 10,000 fewer cars on the road in April.
Fines were highest on the east coast, with Newcastle Highway Patrol nabbing 781 speeders worth $274,990.
The nearby Pacific Highway had almost 14,000 fewer cars on the road than in March.
Further north the Coffs Clarence Highway Patrol had 590 fines and brought in $1889,992.
On the Mid North Coast traffic was down to a third compared to March in Kempsey, but the Highway Patrol still dealt out 52 speeding fines totalling $163,842.
The spike in speeding fines came as some police districts chose to halt ‘booze bus’ operations during the pandemic.
The Daily Telegraph understands a contributing factor to the spike in fines is because motorists prone to speeding may have been emboldened by the lack of cars on the road, and able to speed faster and further.
A spokeswoman for NSW Police said officers regularly conduct operations targeting speeding motorists.
“Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command frequently conduct speed enforcement duties to ensure that the road rules are followed, and no road users are put at risk from the potentially fatal consequences of speeding,” she said.
“NSW Police will continue to take the appropriate action against those who break the law and make no apologies for this.”
TOP 10 SPEEDING HOTSPOTS
GOULBURN HIGHWAY PATROL SECTOR
Value: $338,655 Fines: 1038
MACQUARIE FIELDS HIGHWAY PATROL SECTOR - SPECIALIST
Value: $300,337 Fines: 935
NEWCASTLE HIGHWAY PATROL SECTOR
Value: $274,990 Fines: 781
COFFS/CLARENCE HIGHWAY PATROL
Value: $189,992 Fines: 590
MID NORTH COAST HIGHWAY PATROL
Value: $163,842 Fines: 582
TUGGERAH LAKES HIGHWAY PATROL SECTOR
Value: $200,571 Fines: 580
CHIFLEY HIGHWAY PATROL SECTOR - SPECIALIST
Value: $166,021 Fines: 571
SUTHERLAND HIGHWAY PATROL SECTOR
Value: $154,908 Fines: 568
BRISBANE WATER HIGHWAY PATROL SECTOR
Value: $246,376 Fines: 555
KURING GAI HIGHWAY PATROL SECTOR
Value: $179,152 Fines: 546