More mobile speed cameras coming, along with extra point-to-point units for trucks as part of new road safety strategy
June 4, 2012
Money raised from camera-detected infringements will be funnelled into road safety projects as part of a new program in NSW that will increase the number of mobile speed cameras and point-to-point units.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay says revenue from speeding, red-light and point-to-point camera offences will go to the soon to be established NSW Community Road Safety Fund.
The government body will be responsible for investing the funds into more police enforcement operations, engineering works and road safety education.
New point-to-point cameras for heavy vehicles will be erected on the Pacific Highway from Tyndale to Harwood and Wardell to Ballina.
Signs warning motorists of a mobile speed camera will be posted 250 metres from the site instead of the current warning of 50 metres. Gay says mobile speed camera vans will have more identifiable markings.
“The new strategy will expand the mobile speed camera program but also will improve signage to make mobile speed cameras more visible,” Gay says.
The number of vans on NSW Roads will reach 45 vehicles operating at 2,500 locations for 7,000 hours per month by July next year, Gay says.
Meanwhile, the number of intersections with red-light speed cameras will rise from 91 to 200 by the end of 2014.
“Warning signs for safety cameras will more than double in size and safety camera signs will be changed from ‘safety camera ahead’ to ‘red light speed camera ahead’,” Gay says.
“This will make it clearer to motorists that they will be infringed not only if they pass through red lights but if they speed.”
The NSW Government is also allowing members of the public to nominate areas they believe should have speed cameras. The Centre for Road Safety will determine if the nominated location is suitable.
Gay says the government will provide detailed information about the safety benefits of having a speed camera at a particular location.
“No cameras will be in place if there are no safety benefits,” he says.
“We will look at closely monitoring these locations to ensure the cameras are having a positive road safety effect. Where it is determined the camera has not been effective, other road safety alternatives will be considered.”
