Transport and Main Roads to launch an investigation into new mobile rural speed cameras
Hundreds of Queenslanders have been stung with thousands in fines from new mobile speed cameras - but questions are now being asked.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey says the Transport and Main Roads department will investigate after hundreds of people in a rural area of Queensland were stung with thousands in fines from new mobile speed cameras.
Local Hill MP Shane Knuth says his office has been inundated with complaints after a new, unmanned camera started capturing people allegedly speeding – with multiple people stung with up to ten fines at a time and fines of several thousand dollars.
He says it has had a devastating impact on the remote part of Queensland – where people are travelling hundreds of kilometres per day for things like work, school and medical appointments.
“We’re calling for the government to get these off the roads and have a good review of them, to ensure these devices are calibrated before, during and after they are deployed,” he said.
Mr Knuth said he had heard from pensioners, care workers and a single mum who had been slapped with thousands of dollars of fines at once.
One person, who asked their name not be used, told The Courier-Mail she was horrified when more than half a dozen came in the mail at once.
“It was very distressing, and it’s happened to a lot of us” she said.
“We’re hoping TMR may be able to work with us on this – even if we can pay the fines but keep our licences.
“There’s not public transport out here – if I don’t have a car I can’t work.”
KAP leader Robbie Katter accused the department of setting up the people who can “least afford it” in a bid to raise revenue.
“This is a big issue, this incompetent and completely pointless rollout of these speed cameras in remote areas where people can least afford it,” he said.
“These are not people driving on backroads in Porsches, they’re in 20-year-old Camrys, they’re driving hundreds of kilometres for medical appointments or trying to get their kids to school.
“They’re battlers, and they're getting absolutely smashed. By the time the fines came in the mail they’ve got 7 of them, 10 of them, and these have been rolled out through out Western Queensland – and it doesn’t relate to spots with speeding deaths.”
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said there could be “no tolerance” for speeding, but given the matter had been raised he would ask the department to check there were no issues.
I am not aware of any inaccurate infringements being issued; however, given (Mr Knuth’s) representations, I am very happy to ask my acting director-general to look at the certification,” he said.
“Transport and Main Roads and our agencies are very careful about the calibration and the certification of this technology because they know that at some point it can be challenged in a court of law.
“They are incredibly careful about this. I have confidence that has occurred in this case, but, given the member has raised it, I am happy to have that checked.”
Mr Bailey went on to say there had been an increase across the state, and it had been a contributor to a high number of recent deaths, with last year the worst road toll seen for many years.
“I take that matter very seriously,” he said.
Hospital or a gym? Shock claim leaves pollies dodging questions
Labor and the LNP have both refused to take the blame for shock revelations about just how bad overcrowding is at Queensland’s largest hospital.
Sects on campus: The pushy tactics by religious groups aimed at students
Students at some of Queensland’s biggest universities are being targeted by religious sects that force them to give up their phones and wear head coverings during services.