Mobile speed camera warning signs to return in the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Warning signs for mobile speed cameras are set to make a comeback across the Hunter, almost two years after the State Government removed them.

From January 1 next year, operators will need to install a portable sign before and after their vehicle.

The decision to remove the signage has sparked backlash from the community and claims of revenue raising.

Newcastle MP  Tim Crakanthorp says it's common sense to bring them back.

"The community, the media, the NRMA, and a report from Parliament all called on the Government to have a good look at this," he said. "Even the former Roads Minister Duncan Gay expressed the view."

"We supported these signs because community support for road safety programs is essential."

Groups like the Mobile Speed Camera Crusaders Army had started putting up their own vigilante signs, warning motorists ahead of the cameras.

Wallsend resident and group co-founder Tobias Hudson says it's a big relief for motorists, but the campaign doesn't end here.

"It's very unfair when people are getting booked going a couple of kilometres over, especially last week, they were parked on the 110kph road," he said.

"My next big thing will be to try to get signs on both sides of the road, because speed cameras do both sides of the road." 

"We will monitoring, checking the cameras, making sure they are putting signs out. A couple of us believe that they'll start putting the signs too close to the camera cars."

"The cameras can get you from a long distance. If they're parked at nighttime, where there's not a lot of cars parked on the side of the road, the signs will be closer to the car and they'll still get you, you won't have time to slow down."

The move to bring the signs back has sparked more concern, however, the decision comes too close to next year's state election.

Mr Crakanthorp says he agrees, it's a well-timed announcement.

"I think this government's been very opportunistic," he said. "They're seeing an election come up, and they're doing a backflip."

"We like seeing this backflip because it's just a cash grab, but it doesn't really instill confidence in the government's decision making process."

An example of vigilante warning signs put up by community members. Image credit: Tobias Hudson.

Unmarked Speed Cameras Raking in An Extra $15k on Single Newcastle Road

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Revenue from unmarked mobile speed cameras has skyrocketed in January, with fines flying into the pockets of Hunter motorists.

The NSW Government announced they would scrap warning signs for mobile speed cameras and triple their hours of operation in November last year.

The Government then announced they would go one step further in January, by removing the large reflective markings on the speed camera cars.

Statewide figures showed revenue of $3.4 million in January alone, $3 million more than in the same period a year before.

Edgeworth's Main Road dealt out a hefty $1,554 in fines this January - more than four times the previous January.

Motorists on Wallsend's Newcastle Road also copped 116 fines worth $21,354 just last month, compared to 37 fines and $5,950 in revenue the January prior.

Cameras along the New England Highway at East Maitland also scored 111 more fines this January than the same time last year, or around $20,000 in fines.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance told a parliamentary hearing the changes weren't about raising revenue, but only saving lives.

"You speed, you kill, and we have the fines to stop people speeding," Mr Constance said. 

"And what's gone on over the last 12 months, where speed is now contributing an extra ten percent of fatalities in this state, we have no choice."

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison said the large number of fines didn't show an improvement in road safety, but the opposite.

"The Government should be advertising these changes, not rolling them out in silence," Ms Aitchison said.

"The seven-and-a-half-fold increase in fines shows conclusively that having signage on these detection devices slows drivers down.  Getting a fine in the mail two weeks later doesn’t."