Chadstone intersection again tops the list of Victoria’s most lucrative speed cameras

EVERY day these speed and red light cameras in Melbourne’s east rack up more fines than any other in the state. You’d think drivers would know by now.

Speed Cameras and 40kmph Signs

SPEED and red light cameras at a single Chadstone intersection have once again racked up more fines and revenue in three months than the 26-camera system at five sites along the Hume Freeway.

Figures released by the Department of Justice and Regulation today, for the October to December quarter, also show a 32.8 per cent increase in the number of people caught speeding by more than 40km/h over the limit on Victorian roads.

Road safety cameras at the junction of Warrigal and Batesford roads rang up almost $4 million in fines, from 16,354 infringements issued, in the three months from October to December.

By contrast, there were 11,849 fines issued, totalling $2.8 million from the Hume Freeway camera system during the same period.

The top two junctions for fines issued — the aforementioned Chadstone cameras and the intersection of Fitzroy St and Lakeside Drive in St Kilda — both have 40km/h speed limits.

It’s not all bad news for drivers at the notorious Chadstone hotspot, which almost halved the number of fines issued there — 30,056 — in during the same period in 2014.

But there were 3759 more fines issued there than during the July to September quarter.

Other hot spots for the most recent quarter included the Princes Freeway in Point Cook (7820), the Princes Freeway at Hoppers Crossing (5834) and the intersection of Exhibition and Victoria streets, Melbourne CBD (5763).

The latest figures also showed more than $96 million in fines were reaped from speeding and red light camera offences over the three-month period — down from $97 million during the same time in 2014.

In terms of speeding, the highest number of fines — 264,897 — was for drivers exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h, while there were 274 fines issued for people travelling at more than 45km/h over the limit.

The number of fines issued may be subject to variation over time as fines may be withdrawn or reissued.

Department of Justice and Regulation spokesman Michael Newhouse said it was still disappointing to see the same four 40km/h camera sites, including Chadstone, consistently ranked as the sites with the most infringements.

“These cameras have been in place for nearly two years now, are clearly signposted and are listed on the Cameras Save Lives website,” he said.

“Over the last year, the number of road safety camera infringements has decreased, suggesting drivers are starting to get the message by slowing down and sticking to the speed limit.”

Mr Newhouse said the number of fines issued typically increased during the October to December period due to increased traffic for the holidays.

“Christmas is also the busiest time of the year for Chadstone, so it is disappointing to see so many people caught speeding in an area with so many pedestrians,” he said.

“While the vast majority of people do the right thing, unfortunately there will always be those who choose to flout the law and drive dangerously. We continue urge motorists to take heed of the road safety message and slow down.”

He said road safety cameras continued to play an important role in deterring dangerous behaviour on Victorian roads.

For more information, go to camerassavelives.vic.gov.au

Top 10 cameras for speed, red light and unregistered offences (October- December 2015)

1. Warrigal and Batesford roads intersection, Chadstone — 16,354 fines — $3.8m

2. Fitzroy St and Lakeside Drive, St Kilda — 12,454 — $2.97m

3. Princes Freeway, Point Cook, Forsyth Rd Bridge, Geelong bound — 7820 — $1.7m

4. Princes Freeway, Hoppers Crossing, Forsyth Rd Bridge, Melbourne bound — 5834 — $1.3m

5. Exhibition and Victoria streets intersection, Melbourne CBD — 5763 — $1.3m

6. Flinders and William streets intersection, Melbourne CBD — 5483 — $1.3m

7. Princes Freeway, Lara, Avalon Rd Bridge, Melbourne bound — 4411 — $1m

8. Maroondah Highway and approx. 100m west of Hutchison St, westbound, Lilydale — 4321 — $1m

9. Burke and Old Burke roads intersection, Kew East — 4160 — $910,525

10. Western Ring Rd, 1.6km west of Sydney Rd, Broadmeadows, lane 4 — 3973 — $893,472