22% AVOID SPEEDING FINES

Auditor Suggests Improvements for Speed Cameras

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today added their support to the recommendations of the Auditor-General’s Special Report No 85, Speed-detection Devices (SDDs), which, if implemented will improve both their efficiency and effectiveness because nearly a quarter of detected speeding motorists are not being prosecuted and that cameras are out of action about a quarter of the time.

Greens Police and Infrastructure Spokesperson Tim Morris MP, said that this Auditor-General’s report is significant because data on the effectiveness and the efficiency of the use of all the different types of speed cameras had been collected and analysed, and as a result the report makes several recommendations that should be implemented in order to reduce the incidence of speeding on our roads.

“For the first time is has been revealed that there is comparatively insufficient surveillance effort in the 100-110 kmph zones and that there should be an increased use of cameras in the afternoons when more crashes occur whereas camera use is predominantly in the mornings,” Mr Morris said.

“The audit has also recommended the introduction of more fixed cameras, not only the announced intention to look at the introduction of point to point cameras because they are a very cost efficient method of detecting vehicles that exceed the posted speed limits.”

“The Auditor-General also recommended that police should also make a greater effort to reduce downtime because he found that cameras were out of action for 22% of the time.”

“It was also revealed that 22% of images that were collected of vehicles speeding had to be rejected of which 23% were because there was no number plate or it was obscured; this is an area where the government needs to take action so that offenders cannot escape detection by these means.”

“Speed cameras have been a significant road safety tool since their introduction in 1992 however this timely audit shows that they can be made more effective by better targeted timing and location of the cameras,” Mr Morris said.
Tim Morris MP Greens Police and Infrastructure spokesperson