Melbourne speed cameras: 23,000 drivers caught at Chadstone’s Warrigal and Batesford roads
It’s long been one of Melbourne’s most lucrative speed cameras but should the speed limit at this notorious location be increased?
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COVID hasn’t stopped one of the most notorious fixed speed cameras in Melbourne’s east from raking in the cash in 2020.
But local traders and the RACV believe the 40 km/h speed limit at the busy Warrigal Rd and Batesford Rd intersection is fair, and is needed to keep pedestrians safe.
According to CarExpert, the camera was the second most profitable in Victoria last year, with 23,401 infringements recorded.
It was surpassed only by a camera at the Rosanna Rd and Darebin St intersection in Heidelberg, which recorded 406 infringements.
The Chadstone camera, located near Holmesglen Tafe, a McDonalds restaurant and the Matthew Flinders Hotel, has regularly featured on the list of the state’s top five most lucrative speed cameras.
In October-December 2014, it raked in more fines and revenue ($6.9 million) than the 30 cameras on CityLink and EastLink combined.
Nearby traders including Chaddy Mart’s Sheng Dai, Go Straight Hair Salon’s Rachael Sim and Advantage Pharmacy Chadstone’s John Lam supported the existing safety arrangements at the intersection when Leader visited on Friday.
It has a 40 km/h speed limit from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday.
“There’s lots of pedestrians that cross here, and that’s what its for,” Mr Lam said.
RACV senior safety policy advisor Elvira Lazar said the organisation also felt there were appropriate signage and safety measures at the intersection
“From our perspective there has been care taken to alert drivers of the reduced speed limit … there shouldn’t be any surprises,” she said.
“The primary purpose is not to catch out drivers … they (speed cameras) are a safety measure to keep pedestrians safe and so drivers have more time to react,” Ms Lazar said
Prahran highway patrol Acting Sergeant Justin Keily said he was surprised at the continually high number of traffic offences recorded at the intersection.
Acting Sgt Keily said VicRoads had done road markings near the intersection in an effort to make it feel narrower and slow people down.
“It’s a section of road with signals flashing at you, it’s quite well known that the camera is there, so everyone should know about it,” he said.
Acting Sgt Keily said police had not received any major ongoing complaints about the intersection to warrant patrols.
Drivers caught speeding by a fixed speed camera can be fined $107-$413 and receive up to three demerit points if recorded doing up to 25km/h over the speed limit.
A driver captured by a red light camera can expect $413 and three demerit points.
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