State government deploys new safety measures as road toll incidents rise

As we navigate the roads of our beautiful country, safety is paramount.

But for those who might be tempted to push the speed limit or forget to click that seatbelt into place, there's a new reminder that safety comes first—and it might just hit your wallet if you're not careful.



The New South Wales Government is taking a significant step to combat the troubling rise in road fatalities by doubling the number of mobile speed camera sites.

An additional 2,700 locations will soon be available for operators to monitor and catch speeding drivers.


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NSW will deploy additional safety measures to combat road death toll incidents. Credit: Shutterstock


From 1 July 2024, NSW will also activate its seatbelt detection cameras. These high-tech devices will not only look for speeders but also catch motorists who are not buckled up.

This technology isn't entirely new, as the cameras have been in use for detecting mobile phone usage by drivers.

However, the addition of seatbelt detection is a fresh initiative.

NSW is following in the footsteps of Queensland, which introduced seatbelt detection cameras in August 2021, Victoria in April 2023, and Tasmania in August 2023.

The decision to expand the use of these safety systems comes in response to a worrying trend.

In 2023, NSW saw 351 road deaths, an alarmingly close number to the 353 fatalities in 2019 and a 24.9 per cent increase from 2022.

In the past 12 months, from April 2023 to April 2024, 366 road users lost their lives, a 31.2 per cent increase from the previous year.



Despite efforts to incentivise good driving behaviour, such as the trial that wiped one demerit point from the records of 1.2 million motorists who avoided further infringements, the road toll has continued to climb.

The NSW Government has been actively tweaking its policies regarding mobile speed cameras over the past few years.

In late 2020, it removed warning signs ahead of camera locations and reduced the visibility of camera vehicles—a move that was met with public backlash and was partially reversed later in April 2022.

The operating hours of 45 mobile speed cameras were also significantly increased from 7,000 hours per month to 21,000 hours.
Key Takeaways

  • The New South Wales Government will soon double the number of mobile speed camera sites, with an additional 2700 locations to be added.
  • Seatbelt detection cameras will be activated from 1 July 2024 to identify and penalise unrestrained drivers.
  • Despite efforts to promote road safety, New South Wales has experienced a significant increase in road fatalities.
  • Policy changes concerning mobile speed cameras and demerit point reductions have been implemented, but road deaths continue to rise.
Do you think these new safety measures will be effective in reducing road fatalities? Have you had experiences with mobile speed or seatbelt detection cameras? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below!
 
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No it will not help at all
Idiots will always be idiots
It is a moneu making scheme for the Government
The same hoons are out there all the time, tail gating you to go faster or get out of the way -nothing can be done and will never be done about them at all
Children are allowed to learn to drive from 16 years 9 months and many do not observe road rules once they get their P.s The govt loves to rip you off.
 
No it will not help at all
Idiots will always be idiots
It is a moneu making scheme for the Government
The same hoons are out there all the time, tail gating you to go faster or get out of the way -nothing can be done and will never be done about them at all
Children are allowed to learn to drive from 16 years 9 months and many do not observe road rules once they get their P.s The govt loves to rip you off.
How are you getting ripped off ?
If you're not speeding you won't get fined.
If there were no fines everybody would be speeding.
There is no accounting for the idiots, some people are just lacking in the brains department and have no consideration for others on the road.
If you're not one of those then you shouldn't have a problem.
 
The biggest problem is that there are far too many “drivers” on the road who really shouldn’t be. I used to actually like driving and have always driven defensively. Now there are far too many road users who either blatantly don’t follow the road rules, don’t care, or just don’t know them. Ignorance is no excuse.
 
The authorities are not serious about road safety. A recent case where a woman had previously been before the courts for drink driving only to be allowed back behind the wheel to kill someone shows they are quite cavalier. Speed cameras are purely revenue raising. Almost anyone is given a licence, as one can see on a quick 10 minute drive. Most motorists cannot drive. How few can turn a corner properly, how few use blinkers when required, how many cannot keep in a lane, I could go on. The government makes too much out of motorists to only allow those who can drive on the roads. Road safety expert is an oxymoron. The road toll will continue to climb.
 
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Scary! Who in their right mind would choose to live like that? Oh, that’s right, they have no choice. Who’s next?
I give you two guesses...... and the correct one is US..

They say that the only way to introduce something sinister is to do so in small increments which go un-noticed by the masses, or create a diversion. The next thing the masses know it's in place and squeal like stuck pigs....
 
Speeding has little to do with the increasind number of road accidents. Stupiditity, Showing off, lack of concentration, inexperienced drivers, ignorence and criminal activity seems to be more of a problem. Increasing fines is about raising revenue, always was and always will be.
 
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WA's mobile cameras are not signed at all, are hidden behind bushes, OTTO bins, bus shelters, etc.
Specsavers for you! Did you not look at the photo I posted in reply #11? Is that pictorial sign behind bushes, OTTO bins, bus shelters, etc.?

You are reinforcing my (and probably many others on SDC) view that you are a complete goose!
 
Every state has signs advising that cameras are used. They are not specific in saying there's a camera ahead. Purely a sign saying they are used in the area.
Ever driven along that stretch of road in southern Perth? It is known as Karel Avenue at Bull Creek. A few hundred metres north of that sign is a SPEED CAMERA.

Your "art of stupid assumptions" is unparalleled in the history of modern man!
 
Specsavers for you! Did you not look at the photo I posted in reply #11? Is that pictorial sign behind bushes, OTTO bins, bus shelters, etc.?

You are reinforcing my (and probably many others on SDC) view that you are a complete goose!
READ WHAT I WROTE.

I said every State has signs, the signs are placed randomly throughout the State showing that cameras are used to check speed. The signs are only an advice generally, that sign you posted is not saying there's a camera ahead.

I also said that WA Mobile Camera Units are placed behind bushes, behind OTTO bins, bus shelters, etc. The Mobile Camera Units are NOT SIGNED at all in WA. No where did I say the signs are hidden, FFS, learn to read and comprehend English.
 
Ever driven along that stretch of road in southern Perth? It is known as Karel Avenue at Bull Creek. A few hundred metres north of that sign is a SPEED CAMERA.

Your "art of stupid assumptions" is unparalleled in the history of modern man!
1716432091539.png
NSW have these before EVERY fixed camera.
 
Ever driven along that stretch of road in southern Perth? It is known as Karel Avenue at Bull Creek. A few hundred metres north of that sign is a SPEED CAMERA.

Your "art of stupid assumptions" is unparalleled in the history of modern man!
1716432142415.png
NSW have these signs before every Mobile Camera Unit.
 
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