In response to the Auditor-General’s recommendation the NSW Government announced the NSW Speed Camera Strategy on 1 June 2012. The strategy outlines how speeding impacts upon the community, how sites are selected for the four types of speed cameras used in NSW, and how speed camera performance will be monitored and reported on an annual basis. The strategy was developed in consultation with the NSW Police Force and NRMA Motoring and Services. This report summarises the analysis undertaken by the NSW Centre for Road Safety for the first annual speed camera review against criteria outlined in the strategy. This action also meets the NSW Auditor-General’s recommendation to provide the community with information about the road safety impact of speed cameras. The purpose of the Annual NSW Speed Camera Performance Review is to provide a systematic process for monitoring the effectiveness of speed cameras to ensure they are having a positive road safety effect. Where it is determined a camera has not been effective, other road safety alternatives will be considered. The findings from this annual review will guide the planning of future speed enforcement priorities and operations. The evaluation criteria for each camera type outlined in the strategy has been determined by the NSW Centre for Road Safety based on the road safety benefit that is expected to be achieved from the program. Broadly speaking camera effectiveness is measured by two key criteria: • The impact the speed camera has on slowing drivers down and therefore reducing crashes and casualties, and • The impact the speed cameras have on achieving greater speed compliance through a reduction in infringement rates. A more detailed explanation of evaluation criteria and the methodology for assessing camera performance is outlined in the document. (Author/publisher)
Abstract