'Cameras may cause crashes'

QUEENSLAND'S three new fixed speed cameras could be having a detrimental effect on driver behaviour, according to an Australian motoring organisation and a British survey.

"That can cause problems," he said.

"I tend to do it myself even when I know I am not exceeding the limit. Obviously if drivers are slowing unexpectedly there is potential for nose-to-tail accidents."

The State Government this year installed fixed speed cameras on the M1 at Tarragindi, on the southern approach to the Story Bridge and on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary.

Mr Bates said the NMA was opposed to fixed speed cameras.

His comments mirrored a recent survey of British motorists which found the installation of more than 5000 fixed speed cameras on UK roads had a detrimental effect on people's driving.

More than half of respondents said their attention was distracted from the road ahead because they were looking out for speed cameras, according to the survey by speed camera locator company RoadPilot.

One in three drivers said they hit the brakes instinctively on seeing a camera, regardless of their vehicle's speed, posing a clear danger to any cars following behind.

The RACQ's Gary Fites said he believed many motorists, even those travelling well within the speed limit, tended to knock a further 10km/h from their speeds as they approached the fixed camera on the M1 at Tarragindi.

"It is only anecdotal but that does seem to be the reaction as they make doubly sure they will not get fined," he said. "But I have not heard of any accidents at that spot because of drivers braking when they see the camera. We would advise the authorities to bear this in mind when they are planning the rest of the fixed camera roll-out.

Mr Bates said speed limits should be reviewed.

"We believe speed limits should be realistic in the first place . . . and enforced by traffic police," he said.

No Need for Speed

Queensland - Australia January 14, 2008 - It's almost common knowledge now.

* Thou shall not speed when driving across the Story Bridge.
* Thou shall not speed when driving up the coast around about the point of the Burpengary weighbridge.

If you haven't received the email or the text message from your mother, these are the two locations designated for fixed speed cameras in 2008. I think there's a third one somewhere and for some reason, that little 'Kodak moment' hasn't lodged in my memory bank. Can anyone help me out here?

On the way up to Coolum on Saturday afternoon, it was apparent that every like-minded vehicle slowed down at the Burpengary weighbridge but then sped up once clear of the photo album.

I noticed this particular speed camera was clearly sign-posted and clearly visible for the knowing traveler - 'Speed Camera Ahead' I can't say the same about its Story Bridge counterpart.

What's the Story there? Is that camera up and running as yet? I drive home from work (city-bound) this way most nights and I haven't seen a sign that forewarns careless bridge-crossers. I thought this was required by law?

It's all hearsay but I was lead to believe this flash can ping you in either direction? Having said that, I haven't seen a sign or the actual camera. It's no big deal although I'm probably more likely to have an accident craning my neck in the pursuit of satisfying my curiosity than I am from speeding.

And there's another point - will this measure make any difference to the road toll? I suppose there was probably some detailed study undertaken to indicate it will but I'm not so sure.

More like another way to raise revenue especially from the wallets of out-of-towners who breeze in without the common knowledge shared by locals.

Let's hope they use this revenue to get out there and identify the genuine idiots on our roads. 2008 is only a fledgling and already we're on track to break all sorts of road toll records. The carnage continues.

Speed Cameras need police back-up says Opposition.

Queensland: Tue Jan 15, 2008

Queensland's Opposition says speeding drivers have quickly learned how to deal with fixed speed cameras.

New cameras on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary and the Story Bridge in Brisbane together caught more than 5,500 drivers in their first month.

But Opposition transport spokesman Tim Nicholls says most drivers just slow down then speed up when they get past.

He says fixed cameras are not enough without more police on the roads.

"What we're hearing is reports of people, particularly on the north coast M1 road slowing down for the speed camera and then speeding up as soon as they're outside of the zones," he said.

"People are working out pretty quickly that they can get around it which is a pity because we do want people to slow down, drive to the limit.

"We need to support the fixed camera zones by having an increased police presence on the roads."

Police Role Out "The Big Guns" in QLD Court Battles

The police bill for the day's court hearing included an estimated:

• $3000 for the barrister and solicitor;

• $2000 to hire an expert witness, fly him from Melbourne;

• $1200 in wages for the four officers.

A mobile police radar recorded Mr McDonald at 77km/h in a 60km/h zone at Samford, northwest of Brisbane, in March last year.

Mr McDonald denies he was speeding and says a vehicle in front of him at the time made it impossible for police to gain an accurate reading.

Magistrate Michael Halliday reserved his decision on the case. Radar consultant Roy Zegers said police were fiercely fighting every case.

"They don't want a precedent to be set," Mr Zegers said.

The tough approach has led to motorists facing legal bills worth tens of thousands of dollars after fighting speeding fines worth only a fraction of that amount.

Brisbane restaurateur John Gill, 45, spent $35,000 in a failed challenge to an $800 speeding fine.

Mr Gill was accused of travelling at 145km/h in a 100km/h zone in his Porsche in August 2005.

He urges other motorists to think carefully before making a legal stand.

Electronics company manager Barry Koch, 41, racked up a $10,000 legal bill but had to pay a $150 fine for travelling at 99km/h in an 80km/h zone near Esk last year.

Red light runners help pay for Qld roads

THE AGE April 18, 2007

Revenue from red light camera and speeding fines will be poured back into improving Queensland's roads, says Premier Peter Beattie.

Mr Beattie said 77 new road safety projects would be funded through almost $34 million in speeding fines, and another $12 million from Main Roads.

"I make no apology ... for using speed and red light cameras to catch people doing the wrong thing," he told state parliament.

"But speedsters and red light runners should rest assured that their fines will be going to safety projects right around the state, from guard rails and traffic lights, to overtaking lanes and new bitumen.

"These are the critical works we believe will make a real difference to the state's road toll."

Mr Beattie said only locations with a crash history were considered by a committee for a share of the $46 million in road safety funding.

Queensland Bikers Beat Speed Cameras

By Kay Dibben

October 8th, 2006

ALMOST 20,000 speeding motorists beat red light and speed cameras in 2005-06 because of illegible or missing numberplates.

Queensland missed out on at least $2 million revenue from fines because cameras could not identify motorcycle, car and truck plates.

The Sunday Mail can reveal 60 per cent of all photos of speeding motorcyclists were rejected because motorcycles are not required to have front numberplates - only at the back - so could not be identified.

Last financial year 2553 motorcyclists - an average of 212 a month - were caught speeding by the cameras, but could not be identified and fined.

Police photos revealed one motorcyclist was caught on camera in August this year doing 123km/h in a 60km/h zone at Mooloolaba, on the Sunshine Coast, but escaped without penalty.

Speed cameras recently caught other motorcyclists who were doing 108km/h and 104km/h in 60km/h zones, and 151km/h in an 80km/h zone in Brisbane - potentially endangering lives.

In each case the motorcyclist should have copped a $700 fine, eight demerit points and a six-month licence suspension because they were more than 40km/h over the speed limit.

But the camera detections were rejected because they did not show numberplates.

Inspector John McCoomb, officer-in-charge of the Traffic Camera Office, said motorcyclists were not being deterred from offending.

"There's a propensity for motorcycle riders to actually not only flout the law in relation to the fact that they feel they can't be detected, but to go that bit quicker and therefore drive more recklessly in the process," he said.

"The fact is, particularly from a technology situation, we're not actually catching up with them.

"That is very, very frustrating, bearing in mind a huge percentage of our fatalities come from motorcycles."

Insp McCoomb said one speeding motorcycle caught in front and rear camera shots had no plates, and another motorcyclist covered his rear plate with his hand when he realised there was a speed camera behind him.

State Transport Minister Paul Lucas yesterday promised to hold a trial early next year to assess the suitability of electronic tags to identify motorcycles.

Radio frequency identification or other technology could be fitted to a registration sticker or rear plate to allow cameras to identify motorcycles without front plates.

Police figures also showed 17,000 vehicles - mostly cars - also escaped penalties for speeding and running red lights last financial year because plates were obscured, unclear, too small or missing.

Mr Lucas has asked the Transport Department to examine the possibility of increasing fines for illegible plates and introducing a demerit points penalty, similar to NSW and Victoria.

He said the Department also would report on the feasibility of dropping the $20 replacement fee for plates older than 10 years, so there would be no excuse for illegible plates.

Motorists currently face fines of up to $240 for not replacing old or illegible numberplates.

Some police and road safety campaigners say it is time for wraparound or stick-on front plates to be introduced for motorcycles.

Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby said it was a scandal that so many motorcycles, in particular, were avoiding camera detection.

"We have to get bad drivers off the roads, and the only way to do it is through a demerit system," he said.