LIFE saving or revenue raising? That's the question being asked by the public and some officials regarding the NSW government's decision to remove warning signs before mobile speed cameras.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tamworth Regional Council Local Traffic Committee chairperson Phil Betts and Barwon MP Roy Butler are two of those who have spoken about the controversial call.
The government announced in mid-November 2020 warning signs would be removed, hours of operation would be increased, high visibility markings on mobile speed camera vehicles would be reduced and there would be enforcement for both directions of travel.
An inquiry has recently been launched into the matter by the joint standing committee on road safety, which Mr Butler is a part of.
He is not convinced the government has made the right decision, or has made it for the right reasons.
"The government made the change, without the oversight of the parliament, to quote 'reduce the number of road fatalities'," the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers representative said.
"Data released last month showed that this year 93 people have tragically lost their lives on our roads, compared to 94 in the same period last year.
"Any death is tragic, and we should do all we can to prevent fatalities, but the numbers speak for themselves when it comes to the impact this rule change has had on fatalities."
"There's for and against with the removal of the signage, one possibility is that it could be a revenue raising approach, but the other is that if people are doing the right thing they don't have anything to worry about," he said.
He also said if the changes end up saving lives, then he was all for the removal of signs. The government cited a study by Monash University Accident Research Centre that stated taking away the signs could save between 34 to 43 lives per year.
Mr Butler revealed the government had netted $14.88 million in fines this year, but believes it has failed to change the behaviour of road users.
Read also:
"Drivers who are being caught for being dangerously over the speed limit, or those who are putting other road users at risk should absolutely be penalised for their behaviour," he said.
"But getting a fine in the mail a few weeks later does nothing to stop poor driver behaviour on the day."
Mr Butler will sit on the committee alongside six other members of government.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News