The NSW government has reintroduced mobile speed cameras

[JohnnyG]

For those of you who didn't watch the news tonight

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/content/image/s/p/speed_camera_03-4bb002113dedf-625x360.jpg


The NSW government has reintroduced mobile speed cameras as part of a $170 million effort to reduce the road toll.

The package, to be announced by Transport Minister David Campbell on Monday, includes a $50 million safety audit of six main highways, $50 million worth of repairs and upgrades to areas with a high level of crashes, and an increase in speeding fines of five per cent.

But it is the reintroduction of the cameras that is the most politically sensitive part of the package for the embattled government, The Sydney Morning Herald says.

The cameras can be covertly operated by civilian contractors working from unmarked cars parked by the side of the road.

In an effort to stem a backlash from motorists and head off claims of "revenue raising", the government will make the possible locations of the new cameras well known through the
Roads and Traffic Authority website.

The Herald says it also understands that cars operating the units will be marked.

Mr Campbell says six cameras will begin operating at mobile units across the state from July 19.
He says the government intends to get motorists to slow down everywhere - not just near cameras.

Your view on this please

[JohnnyG]

The makers of the Trapster iPhone app might find themselves even more popular in the Australian state of New South Wales following news that mobile speed cameras will be re-introduced from July 19 this year.

[Rayjuice]

So unlike the police radars, this mobile camera takes picture??
Therefore they don't need to chase you down pull you over and show you?
Am i getting this right?
Hopefully get on my fulls by then:D

[nath_mk6]

In addition it was announced that the new traffic safety cameras that are capable of average speed targeting will be switched as they replace the current cameras this will occur over a program due for completion by 2014 (I think) and that these cameras will not have the current 3 warning signs placed before fixed cameras. The requirement is for a single sign which may simply state safety camera ahead with no warning of the speed camera capability.

I think the burden is on the government to prove that this is simply not revenue raising for an already cash strapped government through marked decreases in accidents at points with these cameras, time will tell

[Androo]

Pigs, seriously. Those new "Safety Cameras" are not really safe at all. Just picture a scenario, a driver coming up to a set of lights that has a safety camera placed on it. Driving approximately 60kph with a car/bus/truck tailgating, rather paranoid that he has to do under 60kph to be safe and can't run a Red. The light turns yellow/orange (whatever), the driver probably can make it comfortable without speeding up but decides to be safe and stop the last minute, the people behind him think they also can make it but don't realise that the driver in front wants to stop... by that time it's way to late to brake and you can imagine the rear end accidents.

Kind of thinking outside the box but I can picture that happening a fair bit. Yeah, people shouldn't tailgate but a lot of people do. I agree with Mark Webber, VIC isn't a nanny state... it's a nanny country. I'd rather ride a bicycle around.

[mikinoz]

My personal opinion is that point to point speed measuring should be used on all motorways. Each entry and exit has a gantry and as you pass through it reads your etag and then fines you if you are below the time allocated to complete the distance. This, if used on the basis of eTags, could actually be quite easy to implement. As for a trial, you could test it on the M2/M7 to see how successful it would be.

I have some objection to the amount of whingers out there about speed enforcement - I have had my licence for many years, definitely don't drive like a nanna, and only been booked twice in under 60km/h zones. I think there is an element of luck, but, the other thing is not being a dipstick about where you speed - hammer your car in an area that is not populated and infrequently policed and you're going to be fine.

The statistics on speed also lie, as there are more cars with higher levels of driver assistance and safety which contribute to lower deaths and accidents.

I hope I don't come over like a stick in the mud, but seriously, they are only enforcing the laws.

[scotty1991]

Fml

[Androo]

Fml

LOL@scotty... how are you going to manage to stay under the limit? :P

[silverbullet]

don't believe more cameras or sophisticated ways of catching people will make our roads safer. more cars on the road, poor roads and more traffic = more accidents. most lethal accidents are due to fatigue, drink driving, and people who regardless of how many cameras or cops there are on the roads will speed with fatal consequences. Are there more deaths during double demerit periods because people are speeding hah? i will kiss any politician's shoe if he/she can show me credible scientific data that proves a direct casuality between the number of speed cameras in sydney and the road toll. it's all bullshit as far as i'm concerned. saw this chick a few weeks ago in a black Z4 who blacked out her number plates front and back. i think i know why?

[Pharkus]

WE've had them down here for ages. I remember when you NSW ppl were complaining about the combined red/speed cameras at traffic lights.

Don't worry guys, with the additional revenue surely the conditions of your roads will improve. Then you can roll out in 20 inch rims strapped with rubber bands.

[Capercat]

Just hope they don't put them around the twisty parts of the OPH :lol:

[nath_mk6]

WE've had them down here for ages. I remember when you NSW ppl were complaining about the combined red/speed cameras at traffic lights.

Don't worry guys, with the additional revenue surely the conditions of your roads will improve. Then you can roll out in 20 inch rims strapped with rubber bands.

Lol bet the roads won't get any better but the pollies conditions and pay will, welcome to NSW the corruption state ;)

[Capercat]

My main concern is the increase of drink driving offenders. Even if they stick to the speed limit they are lethal all the same.

[nath_mk6]

My main concern is the increase of drink driving offenders. Even if they stick to the speed limit they are lethal all the same.

Yeah the increase in volume and even scarier the levels people are blowing is on average higher i think is much scarier to me than speeding people and you're right no amount of cameras will pick this up. Problem is the only way to police this is with more feet on the ground and harsher penalties for those who get caught.

What would be nice is a correlation between increase law enforcement revenue collection and the funding made available to the police