Average Speed Camera Trial to Target All Motorists

Average speed cameras on two major highways in NSW are being upgraded in an attempt to improve road safety.

While a fixed camera only captures a vehicle’s speed at a specific moment, an average speed camera can measure how fast a car is travelling from point to point.

The updated cameras will measure the average speed of motorists on both a 15km stretch between Kew and Lake Innes on the Pacific Highway and a 16km stretch of the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai.

The two locations were chosen because of their extensive crash history. From 2018 to 2022, between the two locations, there was a combined total of six fatalities and 33 serious injuries, according to the NSW government.

While the average speed cameras are already operating in those two locations, they only enforce speeding offences for heavier vehicles, like trucks and tippers.

However, data showed that from 2018 to 2022, almost 80 per cent of all fatalities and serious injuries across all existing 31 average speed camera lengths in the state did not involve a heavy vehicle.

The findings prompted the government to update the system to monitor cars, vans and other light vehicles from May 1.

Average speed cameras to bring down road toll in regional NSW

Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, said that her office was determined to bring down the road toll in regional NSW.

“Regional NSW is home to a third of the population but is where two-thirds of all road deaths happen,” she said.

“With the majority of road trauma occurring in our regions, we have chosen two regional locations to test the impact these cameras could have on road safety for all road users.

“I know this trial will be a change, particularly for regional people who travel through the areas where these two camera lengths are in place, which is why we are committed to ensuring that the community is aware of what we are doing.

“We will have a communications strategy in place, including the use of print, radio and social media as well as variable messaging signs and mobile billboards to help communicate the trial details to drivers and riders.”

Currently, NSW is the only jurisdiction that uses average speed cameras to target heavy vehicles. The trial will bring NSW in line with other states, such as Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, that have successfully been using average speed cameras to target all motorists on specific stretches of road.

During the first two months of the trial, drivers who are caught speeding within those stretches will be let off with a warning as a part of a “60-day warning period,” and will only receive a letter of caution.

However, from July 1 onwards, the system will switch to “full enforcement mode” and offending drivers will be hit with fines and demerit points.

The NSW government will report back to parliament on the outcomes of the trial in 2026.