ACT: Speed camera changes

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Urban Services Minister John Hargreaves today(Friday, 4 November 2005) announced changes to the operation of speed cameras in the ACT, aimed at getting Canberra motorists to slow down.

Mr Hargreaves said an additional mobile speed camera unit has commenced operating in the ACT and the ACT Government would be expanding the operation of its speed camera vans to include more arterial, major collector and minor collector roads.

"Reducing vehicle speed is a major factor in reducing the number, and severity, of accidents," Mr Hargreaves said.

"In the ACT we have a habit of driving about 10kms over the speed limit and to most of us we think it is reasonable and normal but studies have indicated that a uniform speed reduction of just 5km per hour would cut casualty crashes by about 28% - this would see an average 560 fewer casualty crashes on our roads per year."

Mr Hargreaves said the changes bring the total number of mobile units to five and will provide a higher level of coverage on roads that continue to experience speeding traffic.

"Currently, there are 62 mobile speed camera sites and statistics taken from these locations in 2004 show a reduction of on average three to six kilometres an hour than in 2003. This shows that current mobile speed camera sites are having the desired effect of slowing vehicles down," he said.

"To help maximise road safety benefits, it makes sense to expand the camera operations across a greater number of sites. It will provide more flexibility in placing the five cameras at strategic locations to address road safety concerns."

Mr Hargreaves said there are approximately 650 arterial, major collector and minor collector roads in the ACT, and through a staged process all of these roads will be assessed for suitability for van placement.

"Expanding the mobile speed camera network means that drivers will need to pay more attention to their speed as they will not know where to expect a speed camera. Obviously, if you are driving at or below the designated speed limit then the extension of the mobile speed camera network won't affect you.

"It anticipated new sites will not be available for use until early next year and closer to this time an advertising campaign will take place to inform the community of the change and also remind them that roads with a default speed limit (50km/h) are not individually signposted.

"Unlike other jurisdictions, the ACT adopts a very overt approach to its use of speed cameras. We display clear signage and are out in the open, sending a simple message to motorists to slow down. The location of the additional sites will be included to the existing listing available at www.transport.act.gov.au ".