The return of speed camera warning signs in NSW has hit a bump. 

Transport for NSW officials told a budget estimates hearing this week that the signs are too big to fit in many of the speed camera cars meant to carry them. 

In 2020, the NSW Government decided to stop displaying signs that warned drivers of an upcoming speed camera in the hope of changing drivers’ behaviour. The removal led to a dramatic increase in fines, with drivers copping a $40 million mobile speed camera bill over the next year. 

However, the government reversed that decision earlier this year, announcing that the signs would be reinstalled from January 1 next year.

Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the government would reintroduce the signs before and after mobile speed cameras to “help educate drivers in real time, giving them advanced warning to slow down”. 

On Wednesday, Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Tara McCarthy told a budget estimates hearing that 47 of the 143 of the Nissan X-Trail speed camera cars were too small to carry the old warning signs. 

She said that using the signs in the cars would require “significant modification” to the vehicles, including the removal of seats, or replacing the cars altogether. 

“The vendors have changed the fleet and they have some vehicles which are smaller than previous fleets,” she said. 

“The back of the vehicle is fully taken up with cameras, equipment, et cetera. 

“Those signs that were previously used are quite heavy, they need to be properly mounted, they need to be properly restrained.”

She said Transport for NSW is exploring “alternatives”, including “lighter weight signs”, but there are challenges there too. 

“We need to test the robustness of that sign ... we would have concerns if it blew over,” she said. 

“Both vendors are investigating options in relation to that to see whether that's a viable solution, if it is that will avoid the replacement of the fleet.”

The department official could not say how much the potential replacements or modifications might cost, but indiciated it would be covered under existing contracts. 

Opposition Leader Chris Minns has described the removal of the signs as “revenue-raising on a giant scale” and accused the government of backflipping to appease voters ahead of the March election.