‘It’s terrible’: Single Sydney speed camera rakes in almost $5 million in 18 months

Drivers and politicians alike are fuming after it was revealed one prolific Sydney ‘speed trap’ raked in almost $5m in just 18 months.

The introduction of 40 km/h speed limits on some of Sydney’s busiest roads is drawing criticism from drivers and road safety experts, who argue that it is an “over-reaction” and that the focus should be on better driver education.

An exclusive Daily Telegraph analysis of speed cameras in these 40km/h zones reveals that one camera in St Peters, on the six-lane Princes Highway, has collected $4.7 million in fines in just 18 months.

According to NSW Revenue data, most drivers caught in these areas were driving less than 10 km over the limit. The State Opposition has called for the fines to be refunded, and for the government to concentrate on education rather than revenue-raising.

See the exclusive list of speed traps and their monster fine hauls at The Daily Telegraph

Driver education expert Ian Luff, principal of Drive to Survive, commented that these low speed zones are an “easy way to catch people out” and that the 40km/h limit in St Peters is an “inappropriate speed for the conditions.”

“Yes there are certain roads that are narrow and busy, and speed management in those areas can be a consideration,” he said.

“But my view is that this is an over-reaction by the government to this whole thing.”

Mr Luff added that the solution is better driver education, rather than “ham-fisted legislation.”

Ian Luff from Drive to Survive.

“We need to go back to the basics, how people are taught to drive. The whole basis of learner driving has got to start at the beginning,” he said.

He went on to say that “driving at 40 km/h … a lot of drivers zone out and don’t pay attention.”

The St Peters northbound speed camera on the Princes Highway, which changed from 60 km/h to 40 km/h in mid-2021, has generated over $4.7 million in fines since the change, compared to only $21,198 in fines over a similar 18-month period prior to the speed reduction.

Good luck working out this sign soup snapped at Cleveland Street at the junction with South Dowling Street in Moore Park, Sydney.

Despite the increase in fines, 90 per cent of drivers on this stretch of highway were not exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 km/h.

Transport for NSW is planning to impose a 40 km/h speed limit on Cleveland Street, a congested thoroughfare with 49,000 vehicles daily, but construction has been delayed with no explanation from the department.

Shadow Minister for Roads John Graham blasted the speed traps. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Other areas in Sydney with 40 km/h zones and high revenue from fines include Foveaux Street in Surry Hills, Oxford Street, and the City of Sydney Council, which has seen fines rise significantly since introducing 40 km zones.

The Opposition’s roads spokesman, John Graham took aim at 30 km/h zones, commenting that “introducing low speed limits shouldn’t be an excuse for the Government to make a buck”.

He called for the government to reverse fines for certain drivers.

“We are calling on the government to return the fines for people fined in this trial who were travelling between 30 and 40km an hour,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

30km/h zones on Campbell Street in Liverpool. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Many Liverpool drivers have lost points and paid fines. Often it has been the first time they have had an offence.”

He described one Liverpool 30 km zone, which the Perrottet government has now increased to 40 km/h, as a “failed experiment”.

One driver, Ismail Aydogan, was fined for driving 37 km/h in Liverpool, where the speed limit was 30 km/h. He was shocked to receive the fine and lost a demerit point, saying that he and his son, who was driving him to a cardiologist appointment, had no idea that the speed limit had changed.

“It’s terrible. I’d never heard of this 30km speed – and yes I think it would be good to refund all the people,” he said.

“So many would have been going to medical appointments because the hospital is nearby.”