NSW mobile speed cameras see massive drop in fines

New figures show mobile speed cameras are pinging a fraction of drivers compared to last year, saving motorists a massive $61 million in fines. See the list.

Revenue from mobile speed cameras has dropped 74 per cent since warning signs were reintroduced – saving motorists a massive $61 million in fines.

New figures show in the 2021-22 financial year, the state government raised an eye-watering $82.4 million in revenue from mobile speed cameras alone. That has dropped to $21.3 million in the last financial year, according to the Revenue NSW data.

Long derided as revenue raisers by many, when the previous government took away signs which warned motorists of an upcoming mobile speed camera in 2020, the revenue from fines more than doubled in a year.

Public outrage forced the government into an embarrassing backflip in 2022 however the rollout to the 148 vehicles was delayed when the signs could not fit into some of the new fleet cars.

The rollout was finally completed in April this year, with figures for the two months since showing a steep drop in fines and revenue – to 6650 fines and $1.4 million in revenue compared to 55,387 fines and $9.8 million in revenue for the same two months last year.

All signs were back on the roads by April. Picture: NewsWire/Monique Harmer

Comparing fines to the number of cars which drive past these cameras, in May and June 2022 one in every 311 cars received a speeding fine. In May and June this year, that changed to one in every 1663 cars.

Roads Minister John Graham said the decision to remove the signs should have never been made, and drivers paid the price.

Some people took matters into their own hands. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“This is a remarkable drop in infringements, and it is yet more proof that if you give motorists clear signage for their awareness they respond in the right way and road safety is enhanced at those locations,” he said.

“Speeding is the biggest killer on our roads, accounting for almost 41 per cent of the road toll in 2022, so anything we can do to slow drivers down is a positive.

“The Minns Government would rather people slow down in the first place than receive a fine in the mail two weeks after they commit an offence.”

Roxanne Arnold knows all too well how important it is to change the attitudes towards speeding in the public.

Early one Saturday morning in November 2019, her husband Steve left the house for work and never returned.

After a call from his boss asking where Steve could be, Roxanne felt a drop in her stomach. For some reason she knew to check the traffic alerts, and saw her worst fear – a serious car crash close by on Bells Line of Road.

Roxanne Arnold lost her husband to a drunk and speeding driver. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Rushing down to where the police had blocked off the road, Roxanne got her confirmation – Steve had been killed, hit by a speeding and drunk driver.

“I had to tell my kids their dad wasn’t coming home … my daughter was in shock and the first thing that came out of her mouth was ‘who will walk me down the aisle?’,” Ms Arnold said.

Roxanne and the Road Trauma Support Group want not only tougher punishments for criminal drivers, but to change community attitudes about casual speeding.

“Whether there’s a speeding camera or booze bus or whatever it might be, that’s not the worst scenario. The worst scenario is you’re going to kill someone,” she said.

Roxanne Arnold and husband Steve.

Ms Arnold said more mobile speed cameras with warning signs and other similar measures are part of the answer, but Aussies need to take more personal responsibility behind the wheel.

“At the end of the day it’s about a culture shift.”

River Road West in Lane Cove was in the top five locations for fines in May this year, but many locals told The Sunday Telegraph they see the mobile speed cameras as more of a revenue raiser than a safety tool.

Local mum Sophie Ludke said she felt the road’s speed limit was too low at 50.

“It’s definitely about revenue,” she said.

However advocates for the mobile speed cameras say now that the warning signs are back in place to encourage speeding drivers to slow down, our roads can only be safer.

A NRMA spokesperson said mobile speed cameras should compliment a strong police presence.

“The NRMA has long supported using mobile speed cameras, warning and education signs. “Warning and education signs are important tools that encourage better driver behaviour on roadways. Making sure that drivers slow down – particularly in areas where there is a demonstrated history of crashes – is critical in helping to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on roadways.”

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the Road Trauma Support Group Helpline on 1800 808 384