Mobile speed camera in NSW. Photo: Transport for NSW.
More than 2700 new speed cameras will be put into effect by NSW Police to combat the rising number of road-related deaths across the state.
Figures show a dramatic increase in fatalities on NSW roads since the COVID-19 lockdowns. Already in 2024, the state has recorded 109 vehicle-related deaths, 13 more than the same time last year.
The recommendations for more speed cameras came following the February Road Safety Forum, which involved discussions with 150 local and international experts about ways to increase road safety.
Minister for Roads John Graham said, like all other states in Australia, NSW had experienced an unwelcome rise in road fatalities since the COVID era and that reducing the predictability of where roadside cameras were set up was recommended by the NSW Auditor-General.
“The Road Safety Forum was an extremely valuable opportunity to draw on the expertise and experience of over 150 international and Australian experts, and the NSW Government is committed to building upon its recommendations,” Mr Graham said.
“Finalising the National Road Safety Data Sharing Agreement will help form a clearer picture of vital information such as upgrades to roads and driver behaviour trends across Australia, as we work toward lowering road trauma nationwide.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the rollout of 2700 new mobile speed camera enforcement sites across NSW would occur predominantly in regional NSW, where 1650 new sites would be eligible once the scoping period was completed over the coming 12 months.
“This is entirely appropriate considering regional NSW represents a third of the NSW population but two-thirds of deaths on our roads,” she said.
“We want the public along for the ride on this and urge anyone with a suggested site in mind where safety would be enhanced by a roadside mobile camera to tell Transport for NSW.
“We can do more to help save lives on our roads in regional NSW – and I’m pleased to announce we are actioning initiatives from the Road Safety Forum immediately.
“We are partnering with up to 10 regional councils over the next 18 months to accelerate safer speed reviews in towns, villages and on high-risk routes, which will make our towns and country roads safer.”
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
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