The New South Wales Government is stepping up road safety measures, including increasing the number of locations where mobile speed cameras are installed and implementing comprehensive initiatives in response to a worrying increase in road fatalities.
Credit: Transport for New South Wales
In response to a rise in road fatalities, the New South Wales (NSW) Government has strengthened road safety, including doubling the number of roadside enforcement locations for mobile speed cameras and implementing a range of targeted measures. announced that it is strengthening its efforts to
As of 2024, there will be 109 road fatalities in the state, an alarming increase compared to the same period in 2023. This increase calls for urgent action by authorities to reduce further tragedies on NSW roads.
Although there will be no increase in enforcement hours for mobile speed cameras, the NSW Government plans to expand the installation of these cameras to a further 2,700 locations across the state. This strategy aims to deter speeding and promote safer driving behavior at a broader network scale.
The NSW Labor Government has introduced a multi-pronged approach to road safety, including closing loopholes for motorists driving with foreign licenses, integrating mandatory seatbelts and mobile phone detection cameras, and implementing penalty points trials. ing. As a result of the case, more than 1 million drivers had demerit points removed from their licenses for maintaining a clean record for 12 months.
In addition, Transport for New South Wales is partnering with regional councils to fast-track safer speed limits in pedestrian priority zones, launching a new road safety communications strategy tailored to young people and We are initiating several immediate actions, including conducting a safety review.
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In addition, the government is working to improve road safety through improved lighting and improved streetscapes in areas with permanently reduced speed limits.
In a significant move towards national cooperation, New South Wales has joined other states in signing a formal data sharing agreement facilitated by the Australian Government. This agreement facilitates the sharing of critical crash data nationwide to inform evidence-based strategies to reduce traffic trauma. A new National Road Safety Data Agreement will enable state governments and researchers to access and leverage comprehensive road safety data from across Australia.
Transport for NSW is also launching the Towards Zero Collaboration Hub, an integrated platform aimed at bringing together road safety information and resources. The hub will enable stakeholders, including local councils and community organizations, to collaborate effectively and develop targeted road safety initiatives.
Looking ahead, Transport for NSW will work with correctional services to consider strengthening behavior change programs for high-risk drink and drug driving offenders. There are also plans to assess the feasibility of using average speed cameras for light vehicle enforcement to further prevent speeding on NSW roads.
Roads Minister John Graham said: “Reducing the predictability of where roadside cameras are installed was recommended by the Auditor General of New South Wales. Wales has also seen an unwanted rise in road deaths since the time of Covid-19 and we are taking action to prevent these tragedies on our roads.”
