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.
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.”
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.”
The full list of the speed cameras that were switched off this morning:
Newcastle Road – Lambton
Bangalow Road – Clunes
New England Highway – Murrurundi
New England Highway – Tilbuster
New England Highway – Quirindi
M4 Motorway – Wentworthville/Greystanes
Brunswick Valley Way – Ocean Shores
Delhi Road – Macquarie Park
Eastern Arterial Road – Gordon
Princes Highway – Broughton
New England Highway – Scone
Princes Highway – Nowra
New England Highway – Llangothlin
Princes Highway – Angledale
Pacific Highway – Kundabung
Pacific Highway – Urunga
Woy Woy Road – Kariong
Eastern Valley Way – North Willoughby
Hume Highway – Burwood
Bolong Road – Shoalhaven Heads
Warringah Road – Frenchs Forest
Manns Road – West Gosford
General Holmes Drive – Botany
Spit Road – Beauty Point/The Spit
Bruxner Highway – Alstonville
Hume Highway – Coolac
Hume Highway – Tarcutta
Pacific Highway – Banora Point
Pacific Highway – Herons Creek
Pacific Highway – Bundagen
President Avenue – Gymea
Carlingford Road – Epping
Blackwall Road – Woy Woy
North Ocean Beach Road – Woy Woy
Balgownie Road – Fairy Meadow
Sherwood Road – Merrylands West
Central Coast Highway – Bateau Bay
Great Western Highway – Parramatta