From Thursday, May 1, all drivers travelling along two major highways in New South Wales will be subject to new average speed camera enforcement, marking a significant shift in how speeding is policed across the state.
Dylan Anderson
Previously used only for heavy vehicles, the updated point-to-point speed cameras will now monitor all vehicles, including private motorists. The cameras are located on a 15km stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes and a 16km section of the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai. These zones were selected due to their high crash rates.
The initiative enters a two-month trial phase during which drivers detected speeding will receive a warning letter. From July 1, full enforcement begins, and those caught speeding will face fines and demerit points.
Why the Change?
This move aligns NSW with other states like Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, where point-to-point speed cameras are already used to monitor all motorists. Global research has shown that average speed enforcement significantly reduces serious crashes.
The measure follows a troubling spike in road deaths, including three fatalities during the recent Easter holiday period in NSW.
Criticism and Concerns
Not everyone is in favour of the broader enforcement. Legal experts like Hayder Shkara argue the system unfairly targets everyday drivers who may unintentionally exceed the speed limit by small margins while overtaking or being momentarily distracted.
Dylan Anderson
He cautioned that the new cameras could encourage drivers to become overly focused on maintaining an exact speed, potentially at the cost of adapting to dynamic road conditions.
What Drivers Need to Know
Here are the key penalties for speeding in NSW:
- Up to 10km/h over: $128 fine and 1 demerit point
- More than 45km/h over: $3,300 fine, six-month licence disqualification (light vehicles); $5,500 fine for heavy vehicle drivers
These penalties are part of a broader road safety strategy aimed at curbing risky behaviour and saving lives on NSW roads.
Nationwide Trends
Across Australia, similar enforcement strategies are being expanded:
- Victoria: Increasing mobile speed cameras and operational hours
- Queensland: AI-enabled cameras targeting mobile phone and seatbelt offences
- Western Australia: Six new mobile cameras deployed, with over 60,000 offences recorded
As these cameras officially switch on this week, NSW drivers are urged to remain vigilant and stay within speed limits—not just to avoid penalties, but to improve safety for everyone on the road.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
