Covert speed cameras coming to high-risk zones

The State Government is hailing as a world first a new speed camera rollout that will protect some of our most vulnerable. HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR POLL

New hi-tech speed cameras will be deployed at school zones and roadworks sites next month in a bid to protect students and workers from careless leadfoot drivers.

The government has vowed to take an “anywhere, anytime” approach with the new cameras, which will be rolled out across the state in high-risk areas.

The technology – which the government says is a world-first road safety initiative – is set to be small enough to be mounted on solar-powered flashing road and street signs.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said he was giving motorists fair warning that the cameras were on the way, with the technology to be rotated from site to site.

“I don’t want to see another road worker killed or someone’s child badly injured on their way to school just because of the recklessness of a speeding driver,” Mr Bailey said.

“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.”

The announcement will be made ahead of Road Safety Week kicking off on Monday, and comes as the state grapples with a worsening road toll.

As of August 14, there had been 193 deaths recorded on Queensland roads, which was 15 more than the same time last year – and 39 more than at the same point in 2020.

In July, the government hiked the value of all speeding fines as part of their plan to halve road fatalities by 2031, and to achieve zero serious road trauma by 2050.

The penalty for travelling up to 10km/h over the speed limit jumped from $183 to $287, while those busted speeding between 31km/h and 40km/h over the limit are now being fined $1078 instead of $643.

When he announced the cameras last year, Mr Bailey suggested six cameras would be rotated across 24 prioritised high-risk school zones, while four cameras would be used on road works sites.