Sydney’s most expensive roads for traffic fines

Overall revenue from people failing to pay traffic fines went up by $11 million in 2021, compared to the previous year.

Speeding less than 10km/h over the speed limit could land motorists a bill of $1860 on a single trip from the CBD to Sydney’s west, thanks to the 15 fixed speed and red-light cameras placed along the journey.

A single trip from Surry Hills to Blacktown along ­Parramatta Rd, the M4 motorway and Prospect Highway exposes drivers to six red light cameras, as well as nine speed cameras.

Service NSW’s overall revenue from people failing to pay their fines has gone up by $11 million in 2021, compared with 2020.

Drivers entering the M4 East Entrance in Croydon pass a speed camera warning sign. Picture: Christian Gilles

The revenue includes money collected from all ­penalty infringement notices, including driving offences.

The government had announced that signs would progressively start appearing on mobile speed cameras from February 21.

On February 22, Transport for NSW could not say how many cars had been provided with signage.

“We are on track to have signs on 50 per cent of mobile speed camera vehicles within a week and on all cars by the end of March,” a spokeswoman said.

Unmarked cars will still be circulating for another month – raking in thousands in fines.

A phone detection camera on Anzac Parade between Alison and Cleveland streets in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Full-licence holders who speed by less than 10km cop a $124 fine and those commuting from Surry Hills to ­Blacktown will risk that fine 15 times, with the bulk of the cameras located on Parramatta Rd and the M4.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said fixed speed cameras were “important” as they were placed in “dangerous locations” with crash histories.

Mr Khoury said signage should be clear in areas where there was a variable speed zone and motorists could unintentionally break the law.

“Whenever there are variable speed limits, every motorist should be left in no doubt that the speed limit has changed,” he said.

Labor finance spokesman Daniel Mookhey said: “Fining people for paying their fines late has turned into a river of gold for the NSW government.”

Last year, the government made more than $44m from people being fined for not paying their fines on time.

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said: “Speeding is the biggest killer on our roads.

“About two-thirds of speeding drivers or riders ­involved in fatal and serious injury crashes over the past five years were travelling less than 10km/h over the limit,” she said.

“There is one way to avoid being fined – don’t speed.”

Revenue NSW prioritises its ability to work with customers to support them to resolve their fees including extending payment time frames and setting up payment plans.

When a penalty notice is issued, the customer has 28 days to pay the full amount, or to take another form of action, including setting up a payment plan.