NSW government intensifies road safety measures amid rising fatalities

Credit: Transport for New South Wales

In response to an increase in road fatalities, the New South Wales (NSW) government has announced that it is escalating its efforts to enhance road safety, including the doubling of roadside enforcement sites for mobile speed cameras and the implementation of various targeted measures.

As of 2024, the state has witnessed 109 road-related deaths, marking a concerning rise compared to the same period in 2023. This uptick has prompted urgent action from authorities to mitigate further tragedies on NSW roads.

Despite no increase in mobile speed camera enforcement hours, the NSW government will expand the deployment of these cameras to an additional 2,700 sites across the state. This strategy aims to deter speeding and promote safer driving behaviours on a wider network scale.

The NSW Labor Government has introduced a multifaceted approach to road safety, which includes closing loopholes for motorists driving on foreign licenses, integrating seatbelt enforcement with mobile phone detection cameras, and implementing a demerit point trial. The trial has resulted in over a million drivers having a demerit point wiped from their license for maintaining a clean record over 12 months.

Furthermore, Transport for NSW is initiating several immediate actions, including partnering with regional councils to fast-track safer speed limits in pedestrian-heavy zones, launching a new road safety communications strategy tailored for young people, and conducting safety reviews in school precincts.

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In addition, the government is committed to enhancing road safety through improved lighting and streetscape enhancements in areas with permanent lower speed limits.

In a significant move towards national collaboration, NSW has joined other states in signing a formal data-sharing agreement facilitated by the Government of Australia. This agreement will facilitate the sharing of critical crash data nationwide, informing evidence-based strategies to reduce road trauma. The newly established National Road Safety Data Agreement will enable state governments and researchers to access and utilise comprehensive road safety data from across Australia.

Transport for NSW is also launching the Towards Zero Collaboration Hub, an integrated platform aimed at consolidating road safety information and resources. This hub will empower stakeholders, including local councils and community organisations, to collaborate effectively and develop targeted road safety initiatives.

Looking ahead, Transport for NSW will explore enhanced behaviour change programmes for high-risk drink and drug driving offenders in collaboration with Corrective Services. Additionally, there are plans to evaluate the feasibility of using average speed cameras for light vehicle enforcement to further combat speeding on NSW roads.

Minister for Roads John Graham said: “Reducing the predictability of where roadside cameras are set up was recommended by the NSW Auditor-General. Like all other states around Australia, NSW has experienced an unwelcome rise in road fatalities since the COVID era, and we’re taking action to prevent these tragedies on the road.”