Number of fines at speed and red light cameras across Gold Coast

Gold Coast drivers are losing a fortune at the city’s most lucrative speed camera, which is raking in more than ever thanks to a major change. FULL DETAILS

MORE than $5 million will be collected from the Gold Coast’s most lucrative speed camera this financial year if motorists don’t clean up their act.

The speed and red light camera at the junction of Bermuda St and Rudd St in Broadbeach Waters remains by far the busiest in the city, with 17,314 speeding fines – approximately 47 per day – and 105 red light notices issued in the twelve months to the end of June.

Those fines have delivered at least $3.2 million to the state, with the penalty for exceeding the speed limit by 10km/h pegged at $183 for the period.

However minimum speeding fines rose to $287 on July 1. It means around $5 million will be collected at the junction this financial year if Gold Coast motorists continue to speed through in similar numbers.

Large numbers of motorists are also continuing to zoom past fixed cameras at Smith St and on the Gold Coast Highway in Broadbeach, despite warning signs alerting motorists to their presence.

Almost ten thousand people received speeding fines after breaking the limit at the junction of Smith St and Kumbari Ave in 2021-22, generating at least $1.82 million in fines.

At the new rates, those fines would be worth at least $2.85m.

At the Broadbeach camera, which targets motorists travelling northbound on the highway just past Australia Ave, 8637 drivers were pinged last financial year, resulting in fines worth at least $1.58m. At today’s rates, that number would be at least $2.47m.

The red light camera most often triggered by motorists was the fixed camera on Kumbari Ave in Southport facing the junction with Smith St, which issued 678 fines at $413 a time.

The speed and red light camera at the junction of Bermuda St and Rudd St in Broadbeach Waters. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

In a statement to the Bulletin, the Queensland Police Service said studies had linked the camera program to a major reduction in crashes which had likely saved hundreds of lives.

“Results of the latest evaluation conducted by Monash University’s Accident Research Centre concluded that Queensland’s Camera Detected Offence Program was associated with sustained crash reductions across Queensland in 2019. This was estimated at 1560 causality crash savings of which 748 were fatal or serious injury crash savings,” a spokesperson said.

“The Camera Detected Offence Program uses a range of camera technology suited to different road environments to promote compliance to posted speed limits and traffic signals, to ultimately assist in reducing road trauma in Queensland. Fixed camera systems are installed to treat high risk locations and sections of road. Signage precedes the location of fixed camera systems to inform motorists of their operation.”

On July 1 fines for a range of driving offences were increased substantially, with the penalty for the majority of speeding offences rising by 56 per cent.

Announcing the changes earlier this year Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the new penalties sent a “clear message” that speeding was unacceptable amid a continuing high level of deaths recorded on Queensland roads.

“Speeding, red-light and seatbelt offending are major contributors to a high level of road trauma,” Mr Bailey said.

“Speeding penalties will be increased to send a clear message that speeding, regardless of the level, is dangerous and will not be tolerated.”

Speed Camera on the Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach, near the Cascade Gardens. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mr Bailey said every cent collected from fines would be re-invested into road safety.

“This year alone, we have over $1.7 billion invested in road safety initiatives to prioritise road safety upgrades, improve driver education, make school zones safer and develop policies to reduce road crashes and trauma,” he said.

“... We are reaffirming our commitment to zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050 by cracking down on driver behaviour.”

The Bermuda St speed camera has long been controversial with Gold Coast motorists. In 2018 hundreds reported being caught out when the speed limit was dropped from 70km/h to 60km/h.

One motorist told the Bulletin he collected three fines over two days after being caught unaware by the change.

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