Red-light camera testing starts as Police Commissioner criticises court decision on fines
Testing of Adelaide’s red-light cameras has started after a court decision that put thousands of fines into doubt – but the Police Commissioner says it will cost the force.
Police & Courts
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SA Police have begun testing Adelaide’s 134 red-light cameras after a Supreme Court order, as Police Commissioner Grant Stevens hit back at its decision.
Although the new tests started on Thursday, Mr Stevens was critical of a court decision, which would disrupt major Adelaide intersections during daylight hours.
“We have 134 red-light cameras in the metropolitan area that have been tested every 28 days,” Mr Stevens said.
“And you can imagine, the logistics and the risks that are associated with putting a police car through a red light simply to test it when we don’t think that’s necessary.
“The (testing) process has held us in good stead for years and years.”
Until now, police had tested cameras only by photographing cars passing through a green light.
But the court has demanded red-light testing also be carried out.
Police have also revealed around 3800 red-light offence notices have been “suspended” pending legal advice.
A further 95 red-light camera offences each day, on average, will also be suspended, but only for red-light running, not speeding, and only until the new testing regime is in place.
Mr Stevens would not rule out an appeal, pending legal advice about the court decision.
He also complained about the police resources that would be needed to comply with the court action.
The new testing has already begun during daylight hours, not at night as had been expected to minimise disruption.
Police have asked motorists to be patient and obey the directions of police, if they come across a testing location.
Mr Stevens rejected suggestions police were being “bloody-minded” by carrying out disruptive testing during the day, arguing overtime for many officers needed to do the work was not possible.
Testing technicians who currently run green-light testing cannot carry out the red-light tests because they are not sworn police officers and cannot legally run through red lights.
“This is going to be quite resource intensive, obviously it can be very dangerous to put a car through a red traffic light so we have to control that intersection entirely when we do it,’’ Mr Stevens said.
“We’re estimating it’s probably 10 police officers, 10 to 15 police officers a day, Monday to Friday, doing this.
“We have to look at the implications in terms of cost.”
The RAA and police have appealed for motorists to obey all traffic light rules.
