NSW Speeding Fines Drop After Camera Sign Return

Fines from mobile speed cameras across New South Wales have plummeted following the full return of roadside warning signs – and new 2025 data confirms the trend is continuing. The move, originally reintroduced by the Minns Government in 2023, continues to reshape driver behaviour in 2025.

Fine Numbers Drop Dramatically

Since portable signs were restored to all mobile speed camera vehicles, the number of fines issued has seen a sharp and sustained decline. Originally reported in July 2023, mobile speed camera fines dropped by nearly 90% in the first two months after the signs were reinstated – from 55,387 in May-June 2022 to just 6,650 in the same period in 2023.

Recent data from early 2025 suggests that this decline in fines has remained consistent, reinforcing the effectiveness of visible speed enforcement warnings in promoting safer driving.

In mid-2023, just one in every 1,663 drivers passing a camera was fined, compared to one in every 311 drivers in the previous year.

Return to Common Sense

The move marked a clear break from the previous Coalition Government's approach, which removed all signage in 2020. The controversial change led to significant increases in fine revenue and public backlash.

After mixed policy backflips in 2021 and 2022, the signs were fully reinstated under the Minns Government in April 2023. The rollout includes two warning signs before and one after each mobile speed camera, giving drivers ample notice to check their speed and drive safely.

Transport for NSW initially delayed the rollout due to sign sizing issues with new camera vehicles, but these were resolved ahead of the reintroduction.

Minister for Roads John Graham on the Results

“The results are in, with large falls in fine revenue as a result of the commonsense return of portable signage to the roadside around speed cameras,” said Minister for Roads John Graham in 2023.

“The fact is the signs should never have been removed and it was the drivers of NSW who paid for the mistake of the previous government through fines and demerit points.”

Graham added: “This is a remarkable drop in infringements, and it is yet more proof that if you give motorists clear signage for their awareness they respond in the right way and road safety is enhanced at those locations. Speeding is the biggest killer on our roads, accounting for almost 41 per cent of the road toll in 2022, so anything we can do to slow drivers down is a positive.”

A New Era of Driver-Centric Road Safety

In addition to reinstating signs, the Minns Government has championed a more balanced approach to road safety enforcement in NSW. Alongside traditional enforcement tools, they introduced positive incentives for safe driving.

From January 17, 2024, drivers with a clean record can have one demerit point removed, provided they maintain a clean slate until January 17, 2025.

The government says the goal is not to catch drivers off guard but to encourage safer driving habits through visibility, fairness, and incentives.

Cameras Still in Place

While signs are now back, drivers should remain aware that mobile speed cameras are more prevalent than ever. Authorities confirm that increased camera use, paired with improved signage, supports a dual approach to road safety that focuses on prevention over punishment.

With road fatalities and speeding still major concerns across Australia in 2025, the NSW model of using high-visibility enforcement could serve as a blueprint for other states.