Three quarters of NSW mobile speed camera fleet grounded after signs reinstated

UPDATE: From January 1, 2023 mobile speed camera vehicles in NSW must carry pre- and post-warning signs leaving just over a quarter of the fleet operational.

Run by several contracting firms engaged by NSW Police, the current mobile speed camera fleet consists of 143 total vehicles made up of T32 Nissan X-Trails and MG HS medium SUVs, as well as Toyota Kluger and Hyundai Santa Fe large SUVs.

Both the Santa Fe and Kluger have been in use since before the Government removed roadside warning signs in the state in November 2019, so will likely not pose significant issues.

But there are 47 previous-gen T32 Nissan X-Trails operating which do not have sufficient cargo space to carry all the camera and safety equipment as well as the new warning signs.

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In total, of the current fleet 103 vehicles will need to be modified to accommodate the signs according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, which labeled the situation a "debacle" – with only 38 operational in the busy holiday period.

Instead of replacing the vehicles that are too small, contractors working with Transport for NSW and NSW Police will upgrade the existing fleet to accommodate the warning signs. The Government announced the change in policy back in October, though it appears little headway has been made to update the vehicles.

The mobile speed camera warning policy in NSW has shifted right back to how it started, after roof-top warning signs were reintroduced in October 2021 due to an intense public backlash.

Our original story, below, continues unchanged.

The story to here

UPDATE 17/10/22: Up to 47 of the 143-strong NSW mobile speed camera fleet may not have enough space to carry required warning signs.

The NSW Government announced earlier this month that mobile speed cameras will return to having pre-warning signs from January, 1, 2023.

The change came after public backlash against the NSW Government’s decision to remove all signage during the pandemic, seeing revenue from speeding fines double in the state.

Since the axing of signs, the speed camera fleet has been renewed with 47 Nissan X-Trail medium SUVs which are now potentially too small to carry the warning signs, according to Transport for NSW deputy secretary Tara McCarthy reported by the ABC.

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The update could spell a delay in reintroducing the signs. McCarthy indicated the Department was looking into a variety of solutions, including lighter weight signs (that will need to be tested against stiff breezes), or replacing some of the fleet with larger vehicles.

October 11: “We have heard loud and clear from the community on this issue, which is why we are making these important changes.”

The NSW Government will reinstate warning signs at mobile speed camera locations from January 1, 2023.

As before the Covid-19 pandemic, any mobile speed camera will be required to have a warning sign placed before and after the vehicle as well as roof-mounted signage.

“We have listened to extensive community feedback and from 1 January next year, all mobile speed cameras will include portable warning signage on the approach to, and after, enforcement sites”, said minister for metropolitan roads, Natalie Ward.

Mobile speed cameras in NSW

The decision is in response to communities and motorists about the optics of hidden mobile speed cameras that have been present in NSW since 2010, though have recently been a subject of contention.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, warning signs both ahead of the speed camera locations and on the car’s roofs were removed and some entirely unmarked MG ZS small SUVs were spotted on the roads. The threshold for low-level speeding fines also dropped during that time.

The result was more than twice the revenue from speeding fines compared to the previous financial year, despite 274 road fatalities between September 2021-2022 – a tragic 21 more than the year prior.

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The NSW government listened to backlash against hidden cameras. As of April 2022 changes were made to aid visibility, starting with signs on top of mobile cameras being reinstated.

In September 2022, the NSW government introduced new guidelines to prevent mobile speed cameras from ‘hiding’ behind trees, poles, or parked cars.

“We have had a number of instances where mobile speed cameras have parked behind trees or poles, making it difficult for drivers to be alert to a mobile speed camera operating in the area,” minister for regional transport and roads, Sam Farraway said.

“I want motorists to slow down, drive to the speed limit and get home to their families safely.

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“These additional warning signs will help educate drivers in real time, giving them advanced warning to slow down at these high-risk points of our road network.

“In fact, around two thirds of speeding drivers or riders involved in fatal and serious injury crashes over the last five years were travelling less than 10km/h over the sign posted speed limit”, Mr Farraway added.

NSW will continue with its hidden phone detection cameras.

How NSW compares to other states

NSW may be listening to motorists regarding its hidden mobile speed cameras, but other states in Australia aren't changing their way.

Victoria continues with unmarked mobile cars, adding 150 to its fleet in mid-2021 that went on to generate increased revenue.

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The Queensland government is trialing cameras disguised as roadworks machinery and portable speed signs in metro areas as of August 2022.

South Australia is also notorious for hidden speed detection with extremely covert approaches including devices embedded in car’s bumpers with no signage.