Why some Melbourne speeding fines were scrapped

Thousands of speeding fines issued in Victoria have been scrapped after the camera watchdog found motorists weren’t given notice about a change.

Police have begun the process of waiving speeding fines. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Brendan Beckett

Thousands of drivers nabbed speeding in eastern Melbourne are about to have their fines and demerit points overturned after the camera watchdog found they hadn’t been given enough notice about a change in the limit.

Road Safety Camera Commissioner Neville Taylor concluded that motorists who were nabbed by a speed camera at the Nepean Highway and Davey St in Frankston between April 15 and June 16 should have their fines scrapped.

It only applies to people caught exceeding the new speed limit of 40km/h but under the old speed limit of 60km/h.

The commissioner received complaints from drivers, who were fined after the speed limit was reduced to 40km/h earlier this year, claiming they were unaware of the change.

“People who contacted the commissioner claimed that they had not been afforded sufficient opportunity to adjust their driving behaviour when the speed limit reduced from 60km/h to the lower and safer limit of 40km/h,” Mr Taylor said in a report.

The Road Safety Camera Commissioner found that motorists weren’t given sufficient notice about the speed limit reduction. Picture: Chris Eastman

A map showing the 40km/h zone.

An investigation was launched in June this year.

The commissioner found that the bungle was caused by two overlapping speed reduction projects being carried out by Frankston City Council and the Department of Transport.

He added that there was “less than effective collaboration, information sharing” between the agencies.

“The commissioner has concluded that based on the exceptional circumstances that these complexities presented, those motorists detected in excess of 40km/h but below the former speed limit of 60km/h should have their offending conduct excused,” Mr Taylor said.

Victorian police have said that speeding notices issued for the site between April 15 and June 15 will be waived.

Originally published as Why some Melbourne speeding fines were scrapped