Lilydale speed and red light cameras collect over $500,000 in first 18 days of operation

IN THE first 18 days of operation, Lilydale speed and red light cameras raked in $538,654 with many motorists questioning their accuracy.

Speed camera Lilydale

A WHOPPING 2482 fines were issued in the first 18 days after speed and red light cameras were switched on in Lilydale, pouring more than $500,000 into State Government coffers.

Residents have labelled the camera a “flash for cash” with many questioning if it is working properly.

But the State Government says the cameras are subject to “rigorous testing and maintenance” and it is not uncommon to see a spike in fines when new cameras are activated.

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Lauded as Victoria’s first pedestrian crossing road safety cameras and stationed near the Lilydale train station on Maroondah Highway, they monitor the crossing for motorists who speed or run red lights.

The 2482 fines handed out in the 18-day period from March 14-31 generated $538,654.

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This is more cash than some other cameras around the state collected in three months from January to March.

During the same three-month period, the speed and red light camera at the corner of Ringwood St and Maroondah Highway, Ringwood, issued only 796 fines.

Mooroolbark resident Caroline Dunzinger believes something is wrong with the cameras and they are flashing at stationary cars.

“How many people have been nabbed and actually haven’t done what they’ve been fined for?” Mrs Dunzinger said.

Readers have flooded the Lilydale and Yarra Valley Leader’s Facebook page with complaints about the camera.

Among them was Cameron Graham, who said: “Do 40km and they flash. Cross just as they turn orange with no chance of stopping and they flash. Causing more accidents with people watching the speed other than the road”.

Chris Rumble said: “Probably nothing wrong with it that ten minutes with an angle grinder wouldn’t fix....”, while Matthew Leplaa called it “flash for cash”.

But State Government spokeswoman Jess Jackson denied there was anything wrong with the cameras and said they were switched on after comprehensive testing.