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NSW Government switches off 38 speed cameras

More than one quarter of New South Wales’ speed cameras have been switched off today after a state government audit found they had no significant impact on road safety.

Tim Beissmann

13:5927 July 2011

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The audit, conducted by NSW Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat, revealed that 38 of the state’s 141 speed cameras did little to improve safety.

Moving swiftly on the revelation, NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, ordered the cameras be switched off immediately, effective from this morning.

Mr Gay told reporters the government was only interested in operating speed cameras that could prove they had a positive impact on road safety.

“The premier indicated, with my support, that if we found that cameras in the state were not fulfilling a definitive road safety role, and were just seen as a revenue raiser, they would be removed," Mr Gay said, as reported by AAP.

"The report indicates that 38 of the 141 cameras in NSW are not fulfilling that role – their primary role is revenue raising.

"As of this morning, I indicated to the RTA that those cameras are to be turned off. We indicated they would be removed and, as we have time, over the next month, we will remove those cameras.”

NSW Government switches off 38 speed cameras

The 38 speed cameras reportedly generated $10 million per year in revenue for the NSW Government.

Mr Gay said there was a possibility the ineffective speed cameras could be relocated to sections of road where the public has concerns about speeding and safety.

Mr Achterstraat said there was “no evidence” these specific speed cameras had been erected primarily for revenue raising, but insisted that they “appear to have no significant road safety benefit”.

“It's fair to say, on average, speed cameras are effective,” Mr Achterstraat said in a statement.

"But unfortunately we don't live in a world of averages.

"My audit has shown that some of the speed cameras are highly effective, some are reasonably effective, but some don't seem to be very effective at all.”