100km/h over the limit: Slow For SAM signs expose worst speedsters
Brisbane’s Slow For SAM signs have exposed the city’s worst areas for speeding, including one instance where a driver was 100km/h over the limit. SEE THE CITY’S 10 WORST LOCATIONS
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Drivers across Brisbane are clocking up speeds more than 100km/h over the limit – with shocking new data exposing the some of the city’s most dangerous suburban streets.
Brisbane City Council’s speed awareness monitors ¬ known as Slow For SAM signs – have been rolled out for more than a decade capturing more than a billion motorists, with new data obtained by The Courier-Mail showing the most frequented 25 locations and the speeds they had registered.
While it highlighted some dangerous speeds, the data also showed the effectiveness of the signs – which give you a “smiley” face if you’re within the speed limit, and a red “sad” face if you’re not – with the average speed of all but one of the top used signs below the limit.
Oateson Skyline Drive in Seven Hills was the most frequented signed street, with an average of 15,265 activations every day.
Motorists did an average of 54km/h in the 60 zone – but one lead foot was clocked at doing 116 km/h.
Alarmingly, a sign on Gowan Rd in Calamvale recorded one driver doing 169km/h in a 60 zone – though the signs appeared to deter most motorists, with the average well under at 55 km/h.
Slow For SAM signs were first rolled out in 2013 with 26 signs. That has swelled to 266 signs that rotate across 919 locations, including 83 permanent signs at schools.
Residents can contact Brisbane City Council or their local councillor to suggest locations.
Civic Cabinet chair for infrastructure Andrew Wines said: “Speeding isn’t just stupid, it can be deadly. Our Speed Awareness Monitors are slowing motorists down and saving lives.
“These solar-powered signs are a simple but effective road safety reminder, with the highly successful program having slowed down motorists by an average of 8km/h.”
While Slow For SAM signs were not able to fine people directly, it was understood council could use the data to tip off Queensland Police to dangerous speed spots.
One of the worst recorded speeds caught by a Slow For SAM sign was at Wondall Rd in Tingalpa, where there are two schools. SAM snapped one driver in the school zone clocking in at 166 km/h – 106km/h over the limit.
Residents, teachers and parents blamed hoons in the area. Mother Andrea Willis claimed teenagers were constantly speeding down Wondall Rd at night.
“We see people tooting their horns, probably P-platers and younger kids running red lights,” she said.
“It’s very concerning having a child at the school as well.”
Ben Dunleavey said those speeding “have no respect for the public whatsoever”.
“It’s a disgrace someone did over 160km/h on this road, they should have lost their licence for years,” he said.
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