The speeding fine that's hit record numbers despite lockdown
Drivers in NSW were slugged a whopping $26 million dollars in fines from speed cameras last month.
That’s a jaw-dropping surge of more than 100 per cent compared to August last year, despite millions of Sydneysiders being under strict stay-at-home orders during the ongoing Covid crisis.
Drastic rise in low range offences
Almost $4 million was collected for speeding offences less than 10km over the limit — the highest revenue month on record according to the NSW Opposition.
“We are in the midst of a pandemic and the last thing drivers need is to be slugged with low range speeding fines,” NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said.
So far the government has raked in $26.2 million for low-range offences in 2021, which is an astonishing 1226 percent increase on the same period last year.
Warning signs fail to slow drivers down
The dramatic multi-million dollar rise comes after Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance announced fixed warning signs for mobile speed cameras would be reintroduced across the state.
He said around 1000 permanent static signs would be rolled out to remind drivers to do the right thing.
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Calls for end to secret cameras
But Mr Minns accused the government of not going far enough and demanded portable warning signs be returned as well.
“How much more evidence does this Government need that this policy isn’t working, that this is a blatant revenue raising exercise,” he said.
“The data is painting a clear picture – secret mobile speed cameras are not working. If we want to slow drivers down and make our roads safe, warning signs need to be returned.”
Secret speed cameras have collected more than $24 million in low-level speeding fines since warning signs were taken away last November.
Shadow Minister for Roads, John Graham said motorists are right to ask questions about whether this is simply a revenue raising measure.
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