New South Wales is expanding its speed enforcement measures by trialing average speed cameras for light vehicles in mid-2025. Traditionally used to monitor heavy vehicles, these cameras will now track the speed of cars and motorcycles across designated stretches of road to improve safety and reduce fatalities.
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How Do Average Speed Cameras Work?
Average speed cameras, also known as point-to-point cameras, measure the time it takes for a vehicle to travel between two fixed points. If the calculated speed exceeds the posted speed limit, the driver is considered to be speeding and may receive a fine. Unlike traditional speed cameras that capture a vehicle's speed at a single location, average speed cameras encourage consistent speed compliance over longer distances.
Where Will the Trial Take Place?
The NSW Government has selected two regional locations with high crash rates for the trial:
- Pacific Highway: Between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie), covering a 15-kilometre stretch.
- Hume Highway: Between Coolac and Gundagai, spanning 16 kilometres.
These areas were chosen due to their history of road fatalities, with six deaths and 33 serious injuries recorded between 2018 and 2022. The trial aims to mitigate such incidents by discouraging excessive speeding.
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Why Introduce Average Speed Cameras for Light Vehicles?
Speeding has been a leading cause of road fatalities in NSW, contributing to approximately 41% of all road deaths over the past decade. While average speed cameras have been in use for heavy vehicles since 2010, expanding their coverage to light vehicles aims to address speeding more comprehensively.
NSW Transport officials believe the move aligns with best practices seen in other Australian states and international jurisdictions, where average speed cameras have successfully reduced road trauma.
How Will the Trial Be Implemented?
To ease the transition, NSW authorities will implement a 60-day warning period:
- Warning Phase: Drivers exceeding the speed limit by less than 30km/h will receive warning letters instead of fines.
- Enforcement Phase: After 60 days, penalties will be issued for any breaches, including fines, demerit points, and potential license suspensions for severe infractions.
This gradual rollout gives drivers time to adjust to the new enforcement measures while reinforcing safe driving habits.
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Impact on NSW Drivers
The introduction of average speed cameras will bring several changes for motorists:
- Consistent Speed Monitoring: Unlike traditional speed cameras, which only capture single instances of speeding, average speed cameras ensure compliance over longer distances.
- Wider Enforcement Coverage: The new system makes it harder for drivers to speed between camera locations undetected.
- Increased Awareness: The trial aims to educate drivers on maintaining safe speeds, particularly in regional areas where speeding-related accidents are more common.
NSW vs. Other States
NSW has historically restricted the use of average speed cameras to heavy vehicles, whereas all other mainland Australian states and the ACT already apply them to both heavy and light vehicles. Globally, countries such as the UK, Norway, and the Netherlands have reported significant reductions in speeding-related incidents after implementing average speed cameras for all vehicle types.
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What’s Next?
The trial’s success will determine whether average speed cameras become a permanent fixture in NSW’s road safety strategy. If proven effective, they could be deployed across more highways, further aligning NSW with national and international best practices.
Key Takeaways for NSW Drivers
- Average speed cameras will be trialed on select highways in mid-2025.
- These cameras aim to reduce speeding-related accidents and improve road safety.
- A 60-day warning period will allow drivers to adjust before full enforcement begins.
As speeding continues to pose a significant risk to road users, initiatives like these provide a proactive approach to saving lives. NSW motorists should stay informed and practice safe driving habits to avoid penalties and contribute to the success of this safety program.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
