From January next year, motorists will be alerted to all mobile speed cameras on New South Wales roads after the government backed down on a controversial decision to scrap warning signs.
Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the government had heard the community's concerns about removing the warnings - which many argued was a way for the government to raise more revenue and not actually change behaviour.
"These additional warning signs will help educate drivers in real time, giving them advanced warning to slow down at these high-risk points of our road network," she said.
In late 2020 the government scrapped warning signs around mobile speed cameras to change the culture and behaviour of motorists, according to then transport minister Andrew Constance.
A sharp increase in fines followed, with NSW drivers copping a $40 million mobile speed camera bill in just 12 months.
In 2021 the government backflipped and decided to partially re-introduce the signs, but only on top of the speed camera vehicles, meaning drivers had no advance warning.
But Ms Ward said people should have the chance to change their driving as they approach the camera, not after they receive a fine in the mail.
"We've listened and cabinet has today decided … from 1 January, you will see all mobile speed camera vehicles having those signs before and after the cars on every road," Ms Ward said.
Minister for regional transport and roads Samuel Farraway said it was unacceptable drivers were sometimes being tricked by cameras hidden behind poles or trees.
"The Liberal National government is very clear on what the community expectation is here," he said.
"I don't want people getting fines, I want people to drive to the conditions."
Ms Ward denied the decision to scrap warnings was wrong and insisted the government was now trying to be "agile" and adjust policies in line with feedback.
"This about getting the balance right between community expectations and safety and that's exactly what we're doing," she said.
Ms Ward said a parliamentary inquiry into speed camera warning signs also influenced the government's announcement on Monday.
That inquiry supported bringing back the signs.
Opposition leader Chris Minns said the inital removal of the warning signs was "revenue-raising on a giant scale" and the government was only backflipping now to appease voters ahead of the election.
"They've gone from collecting about $4 million a year in low-range [speeding] fines, to [more than] $45 million in just one financial year, straight out of the pockets of the families of New South Wales," Mr Minns said.
"We believe the signs should be out so that motorists change their behaviour in real time and not commit the offences in the first place."
The NRMA has previously campaigned against removing warning signs, arguing they are an important educational tool, especially as the signs normally display the speed limit where they are operating.
"This helps reduce confusion, as drivers often find themselves in areas where they may not be aware of the speed limit, or where the speed limit changes frequently," the NRMA said.
