The city’s motorists coughed up more than $2 million in fines last year to fill government and council coffers, the latest data has revealed.
The amount – which is in line with previous years – has left professional drivers questioning where the money has been spent and renewed concerns over “blatant” revenue-raising with the mobile speed camera.
The figures, released by the NSW Office of State Revenue, show more than $1 million was collected by police in the local area command, with the vast majority of fines issued by highway patrol officers.
Council also raised more than $1 million last financial year in parking fines.
Responding to the findings, Able Driving School instructor Glen Goudron said speeding fines needed to be issued for public safety.
However, Mr Goudron took aim at mobile speed cameras for “blindsiding” motorists on roads where 50 km/h speed limits were out of step with driving conditions.
According to the figures, the city’s mobile speed cameras netted more than $2000 a day last financial year.
“Speeding fines do keep motorists safe, but it’s unfair when they target people on roads that should be 60 or even 80,” Mr Goudron said.
“They are pure revenue-raisers and serve no safety purpose at all.”
Wagga Shuttle Service owner Peter Rex called on the government to point out where the revenue was being spent.
“Is it being pushed into Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle – or Wagga?” he said.
Other figures published by the state government showed Wagga motorists forked out about $14,000 in mobile phone fines and more than $4000 for seat belt offences.
