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Signposting speed cameras has been a debate for the ages. On one end, people argue for them as they force drivers to check their speed and slow down when traveling through speeding hot spots.
On the other end, people against them believe habitual speeding drivers will simply slow for the area, then speed again once they pass the camera.
"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," NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward said in a 2022 press conference.
But New South Wales motorists are the lucky ones; all other states and territories don’t have warning signs leading up to mobile speed cameras.
Despite some states still having warning signs for fixed cameras, the exact locations of speed traps fitted in tunnels and average speed locations are not directly signposted.
But, there are still a few cryptic signs that you can spot to ensure you check your speed and keep your licence demerit points free.
While signage is needed to signal drivers when they are approaching a speed camera on surface roads in New South Wales, in tunnels, you will only see a warning at the entry.
However, as we discovered in a previous story, Transurban (the owner of almost all major toll roads in the country) uses message boards through the tunnel to provide real-time updates while on the road.
Frequently, they will display the message “speed enforced”, and you will likely find a speed camera mounted to the ceiling of the tunnel within 10 to 50 metres.
It is worth noting that newer tunnels, such as those built by Transurban for the WestConnex and NorthConnex, have these features more prominently displayed. In contrast, older stretches of the M5 have them more hidden with no warning.
“Safety cameras used in this area”
Victoria is one of the states that does not signpost its fixed speed cameras, which can be a bit nerve-racking.
But there is a sign to keep an eye out for that will uncover a speed camera just a few metres up the road.
A fixed camera will often be preceded by a sign saying “speed cameras used in this area for road safety”. Other times, it will simply say “road safety cameras operate in this area”.
There are a few cameras where the sign may be hidden or just not there, but for the most part, they’re fixed a few metres away from where the camera checks your speed.
Queensland also has a similar thing – a small rectangular sign can be found at a few crossroads back – simply stating “speed camera 24 hours”.
Western Australia uses a small black and white sign with a camera on it to signal that you are approaching a speed camera.
“Mobile speed cameras used in this area” sign
New South Wales motorists will see a sign that says “mobile speed cameras used in this area” when approaching a stretch of road approved for mobile speed camera usage.
Tasmania has a similar system, using a sign that says “speed camera operates in Tasmania", with the state heavily relying on mobile camera systems rather than fixed cameras.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
