Drivers in NSW are being urged to take note of a significant speed enforcement change coming into effect on May 1. Average speed cameras will begin tracking all vehicles — not just heavy ones — on two key highways. This marks a major shift in how speed is policed across the state.
Dylan Anderson
Where the Cameras Will Be Located
The change affects:
- A 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Mid North Coast)
- A 16km section of the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai (South NSW)
These locations were chosen due to their crash history, with the aim of improving road safety outcomes.
Trial Period With Warnings Only
From May 1 to June 30, the cameras will operate in a warning phase. Drivers caught exceeding the limit will receive caution letters. From July 1, fines and demerit points will apply to offending drivers.
What Is Average Speed Enforcement?
Also known as point-to-point cameras, this technology calculates your average speed over a distance. It doesn’t rely on catching you in the act of speeding at one location — it tracks how long it takes you to travel between two points.
Dylan Anderson
Concerns Raised Over Targeting Everyday Drivers
While the change aligns NSW with other states like Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, it has raised concerns among legal experts. Road lawyer Hayder Shkara argues the system unfairly targets everyday drivers who might briefly drift over the speed limit while overtaking or during long drives.
He warns this type of blanket enforcement penalises minor, unintentional speeding while failing to address more dangerous, erratic driving behaviour.
Penalties for Speeding in NSW
The penalties are steep. Light vehicle drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by over 45km/h face fines of up to $3,300 and a minimum six-month licence disqualification. Heavy vehicle drivers face fines of up to $5,500.
A Nationwide Trend in Road Safety Enforcement
NSW joins other Australian states in expanding average speed enforcement:
- Victoria has significantly increased mobile speed camera operations
- Queensland now uses AI-equipped cameras to detect mobile phone and seatbelt offences
- Western Australia has introduced six mobile cameras capturing tens of thousands of offences
Global research shows that average speed enforcement can dramatically reduce serious crashes, but the debate continues around how to strike the right balance between enforcement and fairness.
What This Means for NSW Drivers
From July, any driver exceeding the limit across these two stretches will be fined. All NSW motorists are advised to monitor their speed carefully and expect additional locations to be included if the trial proves successful.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
