Big change to NSW roads as speed camera warning signs return

A major change to NSW roads is now in effect and will mean mobile speed cameras are much easier to spot.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire, Sunday, 23 April 2023. Mobile Speed Camera NSW Premier, Chris Minns, Minister for Roads, John Graham and Minister for Regional Roads and Transport, Jenny Aitchison pictured with Member for Auburn, Lynda Voltz today for a press conference to discuss mobile speed camera warning signs. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

After almost three years, all mobile speed cameras will carry and display portable warning signs to alert drivers when they approach a camera.

Premier Chris Minns said he hoped the move would encourage speeders to slow down and that fining people after the fact did not achieve that.

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

Mobile speed cameras will be easier to spot with warning signs. Picture: Monique Harmer/NewsWire

“It became a situation where this program was collecting more from low-range speeding fines in one month than they did in the previous 12 months.

“We want drivers to slow down. We don’t want people speeding in the first place.

“And now my government has ensured an end to the secrecy, with motorists having clear warning signs ahead of any speed cameras to remind them to slow down.”

The reintroduction and greater transparency around “speed traps” was one of Labor’s campaign platforms after the signs were removed in 2020.

The fleet of mobile speed cameras is now required to display the warning signs while operating during enforcement with the addition of two portable signs placed on the approach to every mobile speed camera vehicle and another after.

(L-R): Minister for Roads, John Graham, and NSW Premier, Chris Minns. Picture: Monique Harmer/NewsWire

A statement from the government said the switch back to high-visibility would encourage drivers to check their speed and remind them to slow down.

The government said all vehicles would be fitted with a retractable rooftop sign, and the entire fleet would be easily identifiable.

The former Perrottet government had reintroduced the signage on January 1, but the rollout needed improvement as some signs and vehicles were incompatible.

Mobile speed cameras made tens of millions in extra revenue from low-range speeding offences when the warning signs were removed. Picture: Monique Harmer/NewsWire

Late last year, it was reported the NSW government previously raised about $5 million a year from low-range speeding offences, but the number had soared to $48 million in 2021.

NSW Minister for Roads, John Graham, said it ended a two-and-a-half year-long “debacle”.

“The former government removed these warning signs without any consultation. As a result, the community was rightly upset,” he said.

“It took three policy backflips before the former government came to the same view as the community and accepted that these cameras should have warning signs returned.”