[Janelle Ward]

Mobile speed cameras are put in place to detect motorists breaking the law, right? And I assume they would be moved from time to time once people become familiar with their location and to target other high risk areas.
But apparently, in at least one state, there has been an outcry that there are no longer warning signs about these mobile cameras. What’s more, the government is backing down and from January, warning signs will again be installed before and after every mobile speed camera.
NSW roads minister Natalie Ward said the government had heard the community’s concerns about removing the warnings and their condemnation that the cameras were revenue-raisers and not designed to change behaviour.
“These additional warning signs will help educate drivers in real time, giving them advanced warning to slow down at these high-risk points of our road network,” she said.
So speeding motorists slow down to pass the speed cameras and then put the foot down again? I’m baffled. Anyone else?

[Couldabeen]

The Queensland State Government has been boasting about how many $millions worth of Fines have been issued since they went live with the combined Speed, Seat Belt and Mobile Phone detection cameras.
What has been missing from this excitement is how many of the Fines have actually been paid.
What is also missing from this “safety” initiative is an actual decline in the number of serious crashes causing deaths.
The latest card that they’ve pulled out of the bushes is the “Point to Point” cameras.
Driver behaviour hasn’t changed all that much. When approaching any of the known fixed cameras, the majority of drivers slow, sometimes to as much as 10kmh below the limit, thus creating a dangerous situation, and then resume normal life once past the camera.
The fact that many well known fixed Speed/Red light cameras are still flashing day and night after more than 2 years of operation suggests that many people just do not care and will never pay the Fines and never abide by any License suspension from the accumulation of Demerit Points.
The crash in south western Sydney that killed 5 teenagers where the driver was a multiple offender driving on a suspended License demonstrates that really only the already “safe” drivers will behave and observe the published Road Rules.
A large amount of cynicism has grown around the Speed Camera detected Fines and really it appears that the only method of improving safe driving behaviour is the actual presence of the Police on the roads.

[KSS]

The line we are always fed is that these mobile cameras are placed in areas of high risk of accidents. Surely if that were true, behavioural change at that point is desirable and an immediate change to lower the immediate risk in that particular area should be the goal. How does that happen when a fine for speeding does not arrive for three weeks or so and the driver cannot even remember where they were?

Of course, drive to the road conditions and do not exceed the speed limit and you will not be fined. BUT as NSW is now showing, this is not just about safety at all. These signs could be reinstated tomorrow but the Government has decided they won’t return until January i.e. AFTER the upcoming holiday period where no doubt they are hoping to collect many more millions before revenue inevitably reduces as people are once again warned.

[Author]

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