Mobile speed camera vans under attack by angry thugs across NSW

Violent thugs are attacking mobile speed camera operators on NSW roads, endangering lives as an epidemic of poor driving sweeps the state.

Footage obtained by 9NEWS shows repeated incidents of attacks from Albury to Newcastle, at night and in broad daylight, as operators deal with abuse, threats and damage dealt to their vehicles.

In Sydney, one driver had to deal with a barrage of glass bottles thrown by a group of men leaning out of a sunroof.

A motorbike rider in Albury destroyed one van’s aerial.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay called the attackers “absolute losers”.

Van operator Peter Wells agreed, saying the attackers were targeting workers trying to do their job.

He said any idea of a van operator singling out an offender for a  ticket was totally incorrect.

“They have no interest in any particular vehicle,” he said.

“It’s about operating the camera correctly and accurately.”

Multiple Facebook pages reflect the frustration of motorists who believe the vans are simply raising tax dollars for the government.

However, the disgruntled drivers might have a point, with the number of fines issued seeing a staggering increase last year.

In 2013, 13,700 drivers were caught speeding, earning the government about $2.6 million.

But one year on, 40 mobile vans issued 55,000 fines, raking in $10.7 million.

However, Mr Wells said it was about safety, not fines.

“We want people to comply with the speed limit and not get caught,” he said.

“If you don’t speed, you won’t get caught.”

Mr Gay agreed, saying the attackers had reason to be grateful to the van operators.