THE fixed speed camera at Banora Point has been deactivated along with more than a quarter of the fixed speed cameras across New South Wales.

The camera was turned off because it had no significant effect on road safety.

The State Government ordered the RTA to act after NSW auditor-general Peter Achterstraat released a report into speed cameras.

Mr Achterstraat found that, on the whole, speed cameras did change driver behaviour and make roads safer, but not in all cases.

The auditor-general said 38 of the 141 fixed cameras across the state had not produced a discernible road safety benefit.

The report suggested the RTA should continue with plans to review those cameras but Roads Minister Duncan Gay has decided no further review is necessary.

“I contacted the acting CEO of the RTA and instructed her to turn off those 38 cameras,” Mr Gay said.

Mr Gay said the cameras would eventually be removed, costing the government about $10 million a year in lost revenue.

Mr Achterstraat found no evidence that revenue raising was a factor in choosing camera locations.

He said revenue from speed cameras reduced the longer they operated.

NRMA president Wendy Machin said it was a wise decision, with more police on the roads a better option.

“We know they can catch all sorts of things, often a lot of offences that a camera doesn’t pick up,” she said.

“It’s very effective to be handed that infringement on the spot, much more so than getting something in the post three or four weeks later.”