QLD Speed Cameras Faulty !!!!

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THOUSANDS of speeding tickets could be under a cloud because of a litany of technical problems with Queensland's new fixed speed cameras.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the three Brisbane cameras regularly short-circuited, suffered water damage or failed to log data correctly in their first months of operation.

The Bligh Government is adamant the correct speeds of leadfoot motorists were recorded but has hidden most of the glitches under a veil of secrecy.

Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws show police took almost two months to discover the cameras at Kangaroo Point, Burpengary and Tarragindi even failed to comply with national electrical standards.

In January last year, the Burpengary camera on the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane short-circuited after being "immersed in water" from heavy rain.

"Main Roads has advised that electrical work does not comply with Australian electrical standards and QPS staff are not permitted to open the crown pole without an electrician present," a police status report said.

However, the Government has refused access to 55 of the 77 documents found as the information was deemed to be commercial-in-confidence or related to trade secrets, law enforcement or public safety.

With more fixed sites expected to be rolled out this year, Acting Police Minister Robert Schwarten yesterday said none of the problems hidden related to inaccurate speeds being measured.

"The devices are operated and calibrated in accordance with specifications and legislative requirements," he said.

The identity of the contractor that charged $1.3 million for the work was also hidden because the Government was worried about the safety of the company's staff given tickets were an "emotive issue" for some motorists.

Mr Schwarten said taxpayers did not pay to fix the problems but admitted leadfoot motorists may have escaped punishment when the cameras were down.

However, RACQ spokesman Gary Fites said full transparency was required to ensure public confidence. "At least half the motorists out there have a deep and abiding suspicion about the accuracy of cameras and a lack of transparency only fosters that," he said.

About 4000 drivers were being caught speeding at each site every month last year.

Opposition police spokesman Vaughan Johnson said the problems raised questions over tickets issued before the glitches were resolved.

"Speed cameras are very sophisticated and no one can say for sure if they are still 100 per cent right," he said.

The 55 documents censored mainly related to problems with the data loggers, which record files of detected speeds, times and dates of measurements. Mr Schwarten said the logger was "an ancillary device to the speed measuring device" and was "not used in any way for speed measurement".


Why doesn't this suprise me ? Anna always has an answer for the cameras.
The sooner someone has the courage to question why they aren't being used as intended. Instead of revenue raising. I am not against speed cameras. ONLY HOW THEY ARE USED. ie bottom of hills, behind bus shelters etc. Nine people killed on QLD roads this Christmas proves they don't reduce the road toll. Lets get some honesty in government.