The removal of bold reflective signage on some mobile speed camera vehicles is expected to benefit regional drivers safety, according to NSW Transport.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In November last year the NSW government announced changes to the Mobile Speed Camera program, which would see three major changes rolled out over the next 12 months.
During the first phase, which began in November 2020, authorities in NSW announced that portable reflective warning signs positioned before and after mobile speed camera cars would be removed.
However in the next phase expected to be rolled out over the first quarter of 2021, motorists would see the removal of vehicle markings.
READ ALSO:
In this next phase 70 per cent of vehicles will have their markings reduced, and 30 per cent will have markings removed entirely.
The changes would also see the expansion of the hours of operation from 7000 hours to 21,000 hours per month, however this is expected to be implemented in the second half of 2021.
A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said the decision was aimed at making roads safer and would bring the NSW program into line with other states, particularly Queensland.
"We have seen how having no warning signage for mobile phone detection cameras has deterred people from using their phones illegally behind the wheel, we want the same affect with speeding," they said.
"Anywhere and anytime enforcement has proven to reduce speeding across the network, not just at locations where cameras are signposted."
The spokesperson said every dollar generated from the program currently goes directly into delivering road safety initiatives through the Community Road Safety Fund.
"This will directly benefit regional drivers as any additional funding will be used to accelerate the roll out of life saving road safety projects, including thousands of kilometres of audio-tactile line markings, wide centre lines and more crash barriers across regional NSW, helping save even more lives," they said.
In a statement about the reduction of the road toll in 2020, NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said speeding remained the leading contributor for fatal crashes, and this roll out would be a significant step in deterring people from speeding.
Mr Constance said the signs would be removed over the next 12 months in an effort to change the culture and behaviour of motorists, and said people need to understand they can be caught anywhere on the road network at any time doing the wrong thing.
"Speed related fatalities rose to 47 per cent of the total road toll last year," he said.
"We aim to halt this trend in 2021 by expanding the mobile speed camera program and removing markings from some of the vehicles so people know they can be caught anywhere, anytime."
Independent modelling from Monash University Accident Research Centre showed these enhancements to the mobile speed camera program may save between 34 and 43 lives, and prevent around 600 serious injuries in NSW each year.
There are currently 45 mobile speed vehicles in operation in NSW.
The locations where mobile speed cameras operate will continue to be published on the Centre for Road Safety website.