New South Wales has reported a decline in speeding following the conclusion of a two-month trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles. This is the first time that cars and smaller vehicles have been included in average speed camera enforcement. Until now, the cameras have only tracked trucks and heavy vehicles since they were introduced in 2011.
Average speed cameras were installed in two locations: the Pacific Highway (a 15-kilometre stretch between Kew and Lake Innes near Port Macquarie) and Hume Highway (a 160-kilometere stretch between Coolac and Gundagai.
During this period, drivers caught speeding only received warning letters instead of fines.
Data from Transport NSW showed that in the first week of the trial, one in 122 light vehicles was caught speeding. After the seventh week, though, significant changes were observed. Speeding dropped by 48 percent on the Pacific Highway, where only one in every 235 drivers was caught. Meanwhile, there was a 37 per cent improvement on the Hume Highwa,y where only one in 194 drivers were caught speeding.
During this time, drivers were only fined if they were caught going more than 30 km/h over the limit. Even so, nine fines were given at the Pacific Highway site and three at the Hume Highway.
Full Enforcement Mode
Starting 1 July 2025, the trial has moved into full enforcement mode. This means all speeding offences, no matter how far over the limit, will now result in a fine for light vehicle drivers, just like for heavy vehicles.
All money collected from speeding fines and other camera offences, such as running red lights, not wearing seatbelts, or using a phone while driving, is allocated to the Community Road Safety Fund. This fund helps support essential road safety programs.
This trial is part of a promise made at last year’s Road Safety Forum to find new ways to keep drivers safe.
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