First Annual Speed Camera Review
The NSW Government committed to responding to the six recommendations about speed cameras outlined by the Auditor-General following the performance review of speed cameras last year. The publication of the first annual performance review now completes the Government’s commitment to responding to these recommendations.
A detailed report is avaliable to download at the bottom of this page.
What the review found
Fixed Speed Cameras
A total of 97 fixed speed camera locations have been reviewed, with 88 found to have been effective from the initial analysis.
Overall there has been a 38 per cent reduction in the number of crashes at these locations and an 87 per cent reduction in fatalities and a 37 per cent reduction in injuries.
At five locations speed cameras have not been as effective. Field inspections will be completed by November 2012 with comprehensive reviews completed and alternative options for reducing speeding identified by February 2013.
The five locations are:
- Northern Distributor, Corrimal
- New South Head Road, Edgecliff
- Pacific Highway, Hungry Head
- New England Highway, Kootingal
- New England Highway, Lochinvar
Mobile Speed Cameras
Early results show for the first 12 months of the mobile speed camera program there was a 19 per cent reduction in fatalities and a general decrease in the proportion of vehicles speeding of around six percent in most speed zones.
While the positive road toll result continued in 2011 and this reduction in speeding was maintained in most speed zones, there has been an increase in speeding and crashes on roads zoned at 100km/h so mobile speed camera enforcement will be targeting these types of roads.
Red-light Speed Cameras
The operation is still in its infancy with 46 camera locations fully enforcing for red-light and speeding offences and the remainder enforcing for red-light only.
Overall at the 91 intersections with red-light speed cameras there has been a 21 per cent drop in crashes and a 26 per cent drop in casualties at these locations.
Recommendations on individual locations have not been made, because 12 months of data is not enough to provide conclusive recommendations about individual locations.
The ongoing performance of individual red-light speed cameras will continue to be monitored over the next 12 months.
Point to Point Speed Cameras
It is too early to evaluate the program as only 15 out of 24 lengths have been rolled out.
The point to point length on the Great Western Highway between Meadow Flat and Raglan is the only location that has enforced for an entire 12 month period. In 2011 there was only one injury related to a heavy vehicle crash on this length compared to eight injuries and one fatality in the five years 2005 to 2009.
Overall there has been a high level of compliance with speed limits on the point to point lengths, with low numbers of heavy vehicles detected speeding by point to point enforcement.
Previous Reviews of NSW Speed Camera Programs
The NSW Centre for Road Safety has previously undertaken reviews of the effectiveness of mobile, red-light speed and fixed speed cameras in NSW. Detailed reports are avaliable individually to download at the bottom of this page.