Mobile speed camera warning signs will return in limited form after thousands of Riverina drivers fined

NSW Roads Minister Andrew Constance announced this week that 1000 warning signs will be installed on roads around the state that are monitored by mobile speed cameras.

"Transport for NSW is installing 1000 static signs across the state to warn drivers they can be caught anywhere, anytime by mobile speed cameras," he said.

"These signs are similar to the fixed mobile phone detection camera signs and random breath testing signs that we already have right across NSW."

Mr Constance was not able to say how many of the signs would be installed in Wagga.

Wagga roads have seen some of the state's biggest increases in mobile speed camera fines for exceeding the speed limit by 10 kilometres per hour or under since the warning signs were removed late last year.

Nationals MLC Wes Fang, who has previously criticised the warning sign removal policy, said Mr Constance's announcement was a step in the right direction.

"It's an acknowledgement that Mr Constance's policy was a mistake initially and that this is the first step in a return to a fairer speed enforcement policy," he said.

"We need to have a little bit more detail on where the signs will be located, remembering that these cameras can now shoot in two directions, will we be seeing warning signs on both sides of the street?"

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During May mobile speed cameras fined 558 drivers across Wagga for the lowest level speeding infringements, raising a total of $89,000 when the same month last year yielded just 20 fines when warning signs were in place.

Able Driving School instructor Glen Gaudron said the decision to put up warning signs in the general area of cameras was not going to achieve much.

"It's like the signs on the highway that say 'mobile speed cameras operate in this area'. What's the point? They don't want to go back to warning signs on the cameras as it's too much of a cash cow," he said.

Mr Constance said last year's change to warning signs was "not about revenue raising" as all money raised from fines went back into the Road Safety Fund.

"In the Wagga electorate alone, 21 people were killed and 323 seriously injured from 2015 to 2019 (on the roads). Those 344 people represent 73 per cent of the residents of Gobbagombalin," he said. "They could be your neighbour, your child's teacher, your child's friend or your relative. Please slow down. You never know whose life you'll save."

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