Starting May 1, average speed cameras will become operational at two selected sites in regional New South Wales (NSW), with trial runs continuing until July 1. During this initial phase, the cameras will function in “warning mode,” monitoring a 15-kilometre stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes, as well as a 16-kilometre section along the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai, specifically targeting light vehicles.
Drivers caught speeding during the trial period will receive warning letters, signalling that enforcement measures will intensify post-trial. From July 1, the cameras will enforce penalties for speeding, including fines and demerit points for light vehicle operators.
It’s important to note that the current monitoring of heavy vehicle offences at these locations will remain unaffected throughout the trial. Additionally, clear warning signage indicating camera locations has been installed across NSW to encourage drivers to adhere to speed limits.
Roads Minister John Graham explained that data supports this initiative, highlighting six fatalities and 33 serious injuries at the trial sites from 2018 to 2022. He emphasised the critical role of speed in road safety, indicating that it has contributed to 41% of all road fatalities over the past decade.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, reinforced the commitment to improving road safety, pointing out that despite regional NSW housing a third of the state’s population, it accounts for two-thirds of road deaths. She acknowledged that the trial represents a significant shift and underscored the importance of community awareness during this transition.
Through these measures, the NSW Government aims to enhance road safety and potentially reduce the number of road-related injuries and fatalities in regional areas, demonstrating a proactive response to the concerning statistics surrounding speeding and road safety.