Aussie drivers warned as new speed cameras that 'target everyday drivers' turn on in days

Yahoo

24-04-2025

Drivers in the country's most populous state are being reminded of a major speed camera change coming into effect in just days.
NSW drivers will be required to keep an eye on their speed with cameras on two major highways being upgraded to track the average speed of all vehicles. Previously, average speed cameras in the state only tracked heavy vehicles, but now in the selected locations they will monitor all vehicles on the road.
The two spots are a 15km stretch of road on the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes on the Mid North Coast, and 16km of road on the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai in the state's south. The two locations have been selected due to their extensive crash history.
Also known as point-to-point cameras, the cameras will start tracking drivers from May 1 in a two-month trial. It's the latest attempt to curb the rising death toll on Australian roads. It comes after three people died on NSW roads over the Easter period, according to police.
However, not everyone agrees with the move. Prominent road lawyer Hayder Shkara told Yahoo News the move will target the "everyday driver" who drifts between five and 10km/h while "overtaking or distracted" and not the hoon putting lives at risk.
"Average speed enforcement doesn't target the hoon doing 130 in a 60 zone who brakes when they see a cop," he said. "This can penalise minor, unintentional lapses, especially when driving for long distances," he told Yahoo News. "The blanket approach lacks nuance—something you'd expect more of if the goal is truly road safety rather than punishing drivers."
"I also think the average speed cameras may encourage drivers to become overly fixated on maintaining speed rather than focusing on overall safety — like adjusting to conditions or anticipating hazards."
In NSW, the point-to-point cameras in the two selected areas will operate in trial mode for two months, with those caught speeding to receive warning letters. After that, offending drivers will be slapped with a fine and handed demerit points from July 1.
Drivers caught speeding in NSW face hefty fines, depending on how far above the limit they are driving.
The most severe penalties apply to those caught speeding by more than 45km/h over the limit. Light vehicle drivers face a maximum fine of $3,300, while heavy vehicle drivers can be fined up to $5,500. Additionally, a minimum six-month licence disqualification is imposed.
The shift aligns NSW with other states like Victoria, Queensland and South Australia that already use the technology for all motorists, following global studies showing average speed enforcement significantly reduces crashes.
In Victoria, mobile speed cameras have been expanded in both number and operational hours, while Queensland recently introduced AI-equipped cameras to detect mobile phone use and seatbelt offences.
Western Australia at the end of last year heralded the rollout of six new mobile cameras across the state. 60,000 drivers in the state were recently called out for putting lives at risk after the cameras captured a string of offences on Aussie roads.
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