NEW speed camera technology will go live across Queensland next month.
The cameras will target speeding drivers in school zones and roadworks across the state – in a world-first road safety initiative.
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Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey’s announcement coincides with Road Safety Week (22 to 26 August).
“I’m pleased to announce that new cameras will target speeding drivers in both school and roadworks zones to keep Queensland kids and workers safe,” Mr Bailey said.
“I don’t want to see another roadworker killed or someone’s child badly injured on their way to school just because of the recklessness of a speeding driver.
“These cameras will pop up in high-risk locations next month so I am giving Queenslanders fair warning that these can be anywhere, anytime.
“It’s vital we do everything we can to keep the vulnerable in our community safe on our roads and these cameras will help to achieve that.”
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Mr Bailey said the initiative echoes the theme of this year’s Queensland Road Safety Week, ‘road safety starts with me’ – highlighting every road user has a role to play in keeping themselves and others safe while on or near our roads.
“For the eighth year, we’re partnering with Queensland Police Service to celebrate the many ways Queenslanders can help to make our roads safer every day,” he said.
“Every day, across the road network, yellow is used for safety reminders such as our warning signs, high-visibility workwear and even our learner driver plates.
“We’re asking Queenslanders to ‘wear and share yellow’ to show their support for road safety by wearing an item of yellow clothing, hosting a yellow event, or sharing a safety message on social media.”
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Superintendent Janelle Andrews said speeding was one of the leading causes of fatalities and serious injuries on Queensland’s roads.
“Speeding is one of the leading causes of fatalities and serious injuries on Queensland’s roads,” Superintendent Janelle Andrews said.
“During 2021 there were 74 fatalities as the result of crashes involving speeding motorists, representing almost 27 per cent of Queensland road fatalities.
“Thousands more road users are seriously injured in crashes.
“Speed kills and there is no apology for enforcing speed limits in school zones and roadworks sites.
“No one wants to carry the guilt of the death or injury of a child walking to or from school, or a roadworker simply carrying out their job.
“These new speed cameras force drivers to slow down in order to avoid a fine or incur demerit points, there is no penalty for doing the right thing.”
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TMR Director-General Neil Scales said the cameras were different for roadworks sites and school zones.
“Research has demonstrated a clear link between camera enforcement and reductions in speed-related fatalities and serious injuries,” Mr Scales said.
“We asked the contractor to design and build the solar-powered roadworks speed cameras to sit on top of a mobile platform to allow for manoeuvrability around a work site.
“At school zones, the cameras will be installed in specially designed, stationary school zone signs but can be moved around as needed.”
Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA) Chief Executive Officer Louise Van Ristell welcomed the pilot and said it would provide significant data regarding the number of drivers who continue to disregard speed reductions around worksites and pose a dangerous threat to traffic controllers and roadworkers.
“I would like to thank Mr Bailey for launching this pilot and taking up the baton to make worksites safe for all, as speed is a key element in the day-to-day danger faced by our industry and those we protect on roads and all worksites,” Ms Van Ristell said.
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This new enforcement technology is part of the Camera Detected Offence Program. Camera fines are used to fund important road safety initiatives and education across Queensland.
Mr Bailey also reminded drivers about increased penalties which came into effect on 1 July.
“In line with our tough stance on road safety, we have increased penalties,” Mr Bailey said.
“Now if you speed 1-10km/h over the limit you will be fined $287 and one demerit point, and between 11-20km/h the fine is $431 and three demerit points.
“Slowing to the speed limit during designated times in school zones is the best thing you can do for the students moving around you, and for your bank balance and driving record.”
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Speed enforcement is reliant on people knowing the speed limit and that means that speed signage itself has to comply with specifications. The reality however is that this is rarely the case and Police and other Government Departments involved in road and road safety take advantage of the lack of knowledge (by the public) in regard to what is set down in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Roadworks in particular have poor signage, usually damaged, poorly placed, covered in road grime or obstructed. I was observing the signage on the roadworks north of Maryborough recently and very few would pass an audit into their legality. The problem of course is that when you receive an allegation of speeding weeks or months after the actual incident, the driver has little chance of examining the signage as it was on the day in question, or of finding out if it had been erected in compliance with the specs, and was erected by a person authorised to perform that task…………. How many people have ever seen road/speed/school signage being cleaned or checked to see that it complies? How many people know about reflective quality which is a requirement of road signs. The authorities demand that the public abide by the rules and yet are not so keen on doing the same thing themselves.