Hunter motorists are being advised of two average speed cameras, which are now in warning mode for light vehicle speeding offences.
The units measure a 15-kilometre stretch of the Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes, as well as a 16-kilometre stretch of the Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai.
Before 1 May, average speed cameras were only used to monitor heavy vehicle offences.
However, a commitment by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) at the Road Safety Forum in 2024 led to the new trial of enforcement for cars, utes and motorcycles.
Executive director of road safety regulation Duncan Lucas said it was an important advancement.
“Motorists are reminded that the cameras will begin capturing light vehicle speeding offences,” he stated.
“Warning letters will be issued to those caught for the first two months before penalties will begin on 1 July.
“I would also like to remind heavy vehicle drivers that these cameras will continue to operate in enforcement mode for heavy vehicle offences during the entirety of the trial.”
The mechanism uses two separate cameras to measure the amount of time it takes a vehicle to travel between two points on a stretch of road.
A time-stamped image is taken as the vehicle passes each point.
The motorist’s average speed between the two cameras is then calculated.
If the vehicle’s average speed exceeds the speed limit for the length of road, the driver or rider will receive a penalty for speeding.
The trial will help the NSW Government assess how effective average speed cameras can be in changing speeding habits of light vehicle drivers, improving safety and preventing injuries and fatalities.
“Signage is in place at the two sites and a communications advertising campaign is underway to educate drivers on the trial,” Mr Lucas said.
“We want to ensure the community understands how the technology works and has confidence in its road safety benefit.
“Speeding is the biggest cause of death and serious injury on NSW roads and it’s imperative that everyone obeys the speed limit, not only when passing enforcement sites but everywhere on our roads.”
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