Re-Introduction of Camera Signage on NSW Roads

In 2010, the NSW Government introduced vehicle detection speed cameras which aimed to ensure road safety by targeting speed related offences where on-duty officers were not present.

This technological advancement allowed for high-definition cameras to be attached to unmarked vehicles on NSW roads in both residential and commercial approved areas to detect speeding. At the time of implementation, rules governing warning signs were considered as paramount in the execution of the detection cameras.

As of 19 November 2020, the NSW Government proposed that Revenue NSW do not have to place warning signs at the front of the vehicle to make oncoming vehicle owners aware of the detection cameras. It was backed by reasoning of prevention of excessive speeding and to ensure that drivers were penalties for speeding without pre-warning.

NSW road users have expressed their dissatisfaction and frustration with Revenue NSW due to the sharp increase of penalties endured as a result of the decision to remove the detection warning signs. Recent figures reveal that over 38,743 drivers[1] had been issued with penalty notices and over $40 million[2] worth of fines have been issued because of the removal.

As a response to this dissatisfaction, the NSW Government have reversed their decision of the removal of the vehicle detection warning signs. As of 1 January 2023, warning signs will be re-implemented and must be placed visibly for oncoming drivers to be made aware of the monitoring detection vehicle.

A range of signs may become visible again, for example:

1. Mobile Spead Camera Ahead; and

2. (Speed) km/h; and

3. Your Speed Has Been Checked.

Recent discussion has circulated regarding the effectiveness of the warning signs being re-implemented onto NSW Roads. The figures reveal that the exposure of the warning signs play a critical role in making road users aware of their speed by subliminally reminding them to reduce their speed before they are penalised.

Regardless of the circumstances, if you receive a penalty notice for a vehicle detected offence, the matter can be determined by the courts with the possibility of no fine and no demerit points being enforced.

We encourage you to contact our office to discuss this matter with our highly experienced traffic and criminal law team.

[1] Madeleine Achenza and Hamish Spence, ‘Speed camera warning signs returning to NSW in 2023’, October 11 2022, NCA NewsWire.

[2] Paige Cockburn, ‘All mobile speed camera warnings back in New South Wales from January 1 after public outrage’, October 10 2022, ABC News.

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