NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said Labor's announcement of a trial of average speed cameras in regional NSW is a lose/lose approach to road safety that is clearly looking to sneakily raise revenue from regional residents.
The trial will take place in two areas:
• Pacific Highway between Kew and Lake Innes (Port Macquarie) - 15kms between cameras
• Hume Highway between Coolac and Gundagai - 16kms between cameras
Mr Saunders says every life lost on our roads is one too many and The Nationals will always support genuine investment in road safety measures, but the issue should not be used as a cash grab to fund toll relief in Sydney.
"If the Minns Labor Government is serious about tackling the state's road toll, it would look for a broader statewide approach," Mr Saunders said.
"Transport for NSW data shows there has been a larger increase in fatalities on city roads than those in regional NSW, so why is this trial only focussing on areas outside the city?
"The majority of the state's average speed cameras are located in the regions, and this seems to be just another example of the Minns Labor Government picking our pockets."
Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Dave Layzell, said Labor is taking a narrow approach to road safety that looks to raise revenue from regional residents.
"Transport for NSW data shows there has been a larger increase in fatalities on city roads than those in regional NSW, so why is this trial only focussing on areas outside of the city?
"If this announcement is just about road safety, why would the Government need to raise revenue from our country communities?"
