Huge change coming to speed cameras in New South Wales
Drivers have been lulled into a false sense of security about this speed camera rule, but they are being warned it’s all about to change.
On the Road
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News.
For years, drivers in New South Wales have been lulled into a false sense of security, believing that point-to-point speed cameras only capture the speed of heavy vehicles.
While that may have once been true, it’s all about to change as part of a trial shake-up of speed camera usage in the state.
Drivers must be aware that the point-to-point, also known as average, speed cameras are set to be turned on for all vehicles in two regional locations during the trial.
The first location will be a 15-kilometre stretch on the Pacific highway between Kew and Lake Innes in Port Macquarie, and the second location will be on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai, in inland NSW near Canberra, with 16km between the two cameras.
The move comes as part of a bid to lower the state’s climbing death toll, Roads Minister John Graham said.
“NSW is the only jurisdiction in the world to use average speed cameras but restrict their use to heavy vehicles only,” Mr Graham said.
“In the context of a rising road toll, now is the time to trial these cameras for light vehicles and understand if we can keep more people safe on the road more of the time.”
Mr Graham said all other states in Australia, as well as countries such as the UK and Norway had found average speed cameras to be effective.
“All other mainland Australian states and countries like the UK, Norway, Italy and the Netherlands have found average speed cameras to be effective and we aim to be as rigorous as possible to be sure they will also reduce road trauma in NSW.”
He said the point-to-point speed cameras cover a wider area so drivers can’t just slow down for a moment to avoid a fine, like with traditional speed cameras.
“Rather than test your speed at a particular point in time, like a mobile speed camera, these test the speed you’re driving over 15 or 16 kilometres,” he said.
“That means it’s a truer reflection of how quickly people are driving.”
Mr Graham said the trial is focused on regional NSW as it has suffered a disproportionate amount of road fatalities.
In the two locations chosen for the trial, there have been six road deaths and 33 serious injuries between 2018 and 2022. Also, there is infrastructure already there to support the trial.
“They’re both regional trials because this is a bigger problem in the regions,” Mr Graham said.
“Although only a third of people live in regional New South Wales, that’s where two thirds of the deaths from road crashes happen.”
Speeding contributed to 44 per cent of NSW road fatalities in 2023, three-quarters of which were in the regional parts of the state.
There have been 227 deaths on NSW roads so far this year, which is two more than the same time last year.
The trial will run for six months and there will be some reprieve for those caught speeding – for 60 days there will be a written warning given, before financial and licence penalties kick in.
“Before any trial begins, the NSW Government will conduct a comprehensive awareness campaign to inform the public about average speed cameras and a 60-day warning letter period will give motorists time to adjust to their use in these limited locations,” Mr Graham said.
More Coverage
Originally published as Huge change coming to speed cameras in New South Wales
Major change for parking fines in one state
Stubborn councils in one state will be forced to stop issuing this “unpopular” fine after the system was blasted as being unfair.
‘No regard’: Dumb fine system banned
An infuriating system that sees drivers slapped with costly fines without realising will be outlawed, after councils refused to voluntarily scrap it.