The NSW Government has backflipped on an unpopular decision to remove warning signs of speed cameras, with limited signage to return to the roads. 

The removal of warning signs when approaching a mobile speed camera was made last year in an attempt to expel any chance of drivers avoiding penalties without changing their driving behaviour. 

Earlier this year the move came under review through a Government Inquiry, after being widely criticised as revenue raising and not meeting the goal of reducing the state road toll.

A recent government decision means that while the warning signs on approach to a mobile speed camera won’t be reinstated, the NSW Government is mandating signage on top of mobile speed camera operator vehicles. 

National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) CEO Warren Clark said that the move is a modest win for driver education. Still, he says, there is room to move.

“The danger is that all vehicles will brake suddenly when they see the camera instead of checking their speed on the approach,” Mr Clark said. 

For heavy vehicle operators that deal with an array of variable speed limits, this move has potential to produce unintended breaches of the rules. 

“Mobile speed cameras should always be deployed in areas with a poor accident history. Signage that reminds all drivers to check their speed well before they reach a black spot makes sense,” Mr Clark said. 

NatRoad brought this argument to the table last month in the NSW inquiry, making a case for the return of signage. 

“We told the committee that people viewed speeding fines as revenue raising because the link between penalties and safety outcomes is unclear or poorly spelt out,” Mr Clark said. 

According to Revenue NSW, the fines handed out for speeding in December 2020, when the change was made, accumulated to over $18.5 million. In December 2019, when warning signs were still in place, the fines accumulated to half the amount, at just over $9 million.

A common accusation following the removal of signs was the failure to change driver behaviour on the day, only finding out that they had been fined weeks later when it arrived in the mail. 

Member for Barwon Roy Butler - who is on the committee of the ongoing inquiry - said that the removal of warning signs seemingly goes against the entire purpose of speed cameras, to slow people down. 

“The point of speed cameras is to change driver behaviour. If someone is well in excess of the speed limit, the signs won’t stop them getting a ticket - they won’t be at the limit when they pass the camera. For most drivers, the signs were a reminder to ensure you are travelling at the posted limit, and it changed driver behaviour in the moment,” Mr Butler said. 

Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes said the rollout of new signs is about driver safety, which echoes the messaging used when they removed the signs last year. 

“This was always about saving lives, and we will continue to find ways to reduce the number of lives lost on our roads as we aim towards zero fatalities by 2050,” Mr Stokes said. 

Former Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new signs would give fair warning that they were passing a speed camera. 

“We need to strike the right balance between giving a fair go to the majority who are trying to do the right thing and ensuring those few who continue to deliberately risk lives cop the fine they deserve,” Mr Toole said.

From February 2022, a retractable, double-sided sign will be installed on top of all mobile speed camera vehicles.