The New South Wales government has announced it will switch average speed cameras to warning mode for light vehicles in two key regional locations.
From May 1, the trial will see the government switch on cameras across a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes. The cameras will also be turned on along the Hume Highway across a 16km stretch spanning Coolac and Gundagai.
These two stretches were chosen based on several factors, including known crash history, with there being a combined total of six fatalities and 33 serious injuries at these locations between 2018 and 2022.
Currently, NSW average speed cameras only enforce speeding offences for heavy vehicles. However, data from the past five years suggests almost 80 per cent of all fatalities and serious injuries didn’t involve a heavy vehicle.
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Most other Australian jurisdictions use average speed cameras for all vehicles or plan to do so in future.
The NSW trial will include a two-month warning letter period for drivers caught speeding on both lengths of road before it is turned to full enforcement mode from July 1.
“We know that speed remains our biggest killer on the road, contributing to 41 per cent of all fatalities over the past decade,” NSW roads and transport minister John Graham says.
“Studies from around the world show that using average speed enforcement cameras for all vehicles reduces the road toll, and road trauma.
“We know the trial will be a change for motorists in New South Wales, so it will be supported by community and stakeholder communications. All average speed camera locations have warning signs installed.”
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