RTA introduces mobile speed cameras

SPEEDSTERS beware, mobile speed cameras are now being rolled out across NSW.The cameras, mounted on unmarked cars, will be placed at random at any one of 140 locations, including 11 in the Riverina.According to police and the RTA, the cameras are the newest weapon in the fight against speeding and the bid to reduce the death toll as there will be no warning of where the cameras are operating.The locations were chosen due to their respective histories of high speed, accidents and fatalities.However, with only six cameras available it is not known how long it will take for a camera to make its way out to the region or for how long it could be used.Statistics show that 46 per cent of fatalities in NSW in 2009 were caused by speed and when the cameras were introduced in Queensland and Victoria there was a 25 per cent drop in casualty crashes.NSW Roads Minister David Borger said the cameras were designed to make motorists think twice about speeding."Last year, 213 people died in speed related crashes and their families and friends suffered unspeakable tragedy and that doesn't include the thousands that were permanently injured," he said."If these cameras can make motorists think twice about speeding then they have done their job."While the cars carrying the cameras will be marked and there will be signage after the speed camera there will be no warning before the location.According to the RTA, mobile speed cameras "work because they provide anywhere, anytime enforcement so that drivers don't just slow down to avoid detection and then speed up again".Drivers caught speeding can expect a fine to arrive shortly after in the mail.