NRMA research reveals effectiveness of in-person police enforcement
New research by the NRMA has revealed the importance of in-person policing versus automated enforcement in NSW, as the state’s road toll continues to worsen.
In a recent survey of 796 NRMA members, 87 per cent of respondents said an on-the-spot penalty or warning from NSW Police was the most effective way to change poor driving behaviour – versus just 7 per cent who believed enforcement cameras were more effective.
Another 56 per cent said they were more conscious of driving within the speed limit when policing was visible, 41 per cent said they were more alert to obeying road rules, while 53 per cent said they were generally more careful about driving behaviour.
The research comes as new data shows 190 people were killed on NSW roads through the first half of 2025 – an increase of 29 lives over the same period in 2024
Additionally, key in-person policing metrics have continued to slide, with 3.4 million Random Breath Tests (RBT) tests conducted, according to the latest available data, down 100,000. Best practice measures suggest this figure should be closer to 7.6 million tests, or 1.1 tests per year per licence holder.
Conversely, NSW Police met their target of 200,000 roadside drug tests in 2024. The NRMA congratulates the NSW Police on achieving this vital target.
High visibility policing remains a critical component in reducing road trauma. Credit: Getty images
The NRMA has called upon the NSW Government to ramp up the visibility of police enforcement on our roads, especially in regional areas, plus publish regular updates on roadside drug and alcohol testing data and a set a new target for roadside drug testing to reduce the road toll.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said the NRMA’s unwavering support of the NSW Police in reducing the road toll was overwhelmingly backed by the public.
“Increasing the number of police on our roads remains the most critical component in reducing road trauma because the more drivers see them on our roads the more likely they are to change their behaviour,” Mr Khoury said.
Read the full report: Cops stop crashes
NRMA research reveals expenditure from the Community Road Safety Fund on automated enforcement increased by more than $55 million between the financial year 2020-21 and 2022-23, reaching almost $100 million. By contrast, police enforcement expenditure in the financial year 2022-23 was just under $30 million.
While cameras and new technology play important roles in police enforcement, the NRMA maintains its long-held position that traditional police enforcement remains the most effective way to address high-risk behaviours. This includes tackling drink and drug driving, aggressive driving and issuing on-the-spot fines and licence termination for high-range speeding.
