Fatalities reduced by 87% crashes reduced by 38% and injuries reduced by 37%
The first annual NSW speed camera review has found they are effective in saving lives and
reducing crashes and injuries. The annual review follows last year’s Auditor-General’s report into speed cameras which found that the right speed camera in the right place can save lives.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said the review had looked at all mobile, fixed, red light and
point to point speed cameras. “The results from the review are very encouraging with 88 of the 97 fixed speed camera locations recording a reduction in crashes and/or casualties,” said Mr Gay. Nine cameras were identified for further review which found four were effective while five
would be subject to a comprehensive field review by the Centre for Road Safety. If during the field review it is determined that any camera is not delivering the expected safety
benefits at the location, it will be recommended for removal and possible relocation.
Those five are Northern Distributer Corrimal, Pacific Highway Hungry Head, New England
Highway Kootingal and New England Highway Lochinvar, New South Head Road, Edgecliff.
“We’re determined to ensure speed cameras are only in locations where they have a proven
road safety benefit, and that they are not simply there as revenue raisers.
“The review found that at the fixed speed camera locations, fatalities dropped by 87 per cent,
crashes dropped by 38 per cent and injuries were reduced by 37 per cent,” he said.
“There are some encouraging results from the review of mobile and red light speed cameras
too, even though they have been operating for only a short time.
“Early results show reductions in both crashes and fatalities at mobile and red light speed
camera sites.
“Crashes at intersections enforced by red light speed cameras have dropped by 21%, while
casualties have fallen by 26 per cent.”
Mobile speed cameras are in their infancy, but results from the first 12 months of operation
show a 19 per cent drop in fatalities and a general decrease of 6 per cent in speeding through
most speed zones.
Mr Gay said while it’s too early to evaluate point to point speed cameras, preliminary
indications suggest there is a high level of compliance.
But he said there are a couple of concerning trends that need to be addressed.
“While the results are generally positive, the results in the 100 kph zones revealed there was
an increase in speeding compared to the period 2008-1010,” he said.
These results coincide with an increase in the number of fatalities in 100kph zones that are
speed related.
In 2010 38% of fatalities in 100 kph zones were speed related, while in 2011 that number
increased to 46%.
Mr Gay said these figures show that 100 kph zones should be targeted for additional
enforcement, including highway patrol.
WHAT THE REVIEW FOUND
Fixed Speed Cameras
Speed cameras at 89 locations have resulted in a reduction in crashes and/or casualties.
Overall there has been a 38 per cent reduction in the number of crashes at these locations
and an 87 per cent reduction in fatalities and a 37 per cent reduction in injuries.
At five locations speed cameras have not been as effective. Field inspections will be
completed by November 2012 with comprehensive reviews completed and alternative options
for reducing speeding identified by February 2013.
The five locations are:
- Northern Distributor, Corrimal
- Pacific Highway, Hungry Head
- New England Highway, Kootingal
- New England Highway, Lochinvar
- New South Head Road, Edgecliff
If during the field review it is determined that any camera is not delivering the expected safety
benefits at the location, it will be recommended for removal and possible relocation.
Mobile Speed Cameras
Early results show for the first 12 months of the mobile speed camera program there was a 19
per cent reduction in fatalities and a general decrease in the proportion of vehicles speeding of
around six per cent in most speed zones. While the positive road toll result continued in 2011 and this reduction in speeding was maintained in most speed zones, there has been an increase in speeding and crashes on roads zoned at 100km/h so mobile speed camera enforcement will be targeting these types of roads.
Red-light Speed Cameras
The operation is still in its infancy with 46 camera locations fully enforcing for red-light and
speeding offences and the remainder enforcing for red-light only. Overall at the 91 intersections with red-light speed cameras there has been a 21 per cent drop in crashes and a 26 per cent drop in casualties at these locations. Recommendations on individual locations have not been made, because 12 months of data is not enough to provide conclusive recommendations about individual locations. The ongoing performance of individual red-light speed cameras will continue to be monitored over the next 12 months.
Point to Point Speed Cameras
It is too early to evaluate the program as only 15 out of 24 lengths have been rolled out. The
point to point length on the Great Western Highway between Meadow Flat and Raglan is the
only location that has enforced for an entire 12 month period. In 2011 there was only one
injury related to a heavy vehicle crash on this length compared to eight injuries and one fatality
in the five years 2005 to 2009. Overall there has been a high level of compliance with speed limits on the point to point lengths, with low numbers of heavy vehicles detected speeding by point to point enforcement.
