Whitehorse speed and light cameras rake in millions from fines

New data reveals speed and light cameras in Whitehorse raked in $2.2 million from 7484 fines with the most drivers clocked at the intersection of Whitehorse and Surrey roads, Blackburn

The speed camera on the corner of Whitehorse and Surrey Roads in Blackburn.

THE Box Hill library upgrade could have been funded four times over with the amount of money raised from speed and red light cameras in Whitehorse during the last three months of 2017.

New State Government data reveals the cameras raked in $2.2 million from 7484 fines with more drivers clocked at the intersection of Whitehorse and Surrey roads, Blackburn, than anywhere else in the area.

At that intersection $600,832 was collected from 2551 infringements, making it the 18th highest camera earner in the state between October and December.

Nunawading highway patrol Sergeant Paul Egan said drivers were taking advantage of Whitehorse Rd opening up to three lanes and a faster speed limit.

“Drivers anticipate that higher speed limit and see the road ahead of them open up and tend to speed through the intersection,” he said.

The corner of Middleborough Rd and the Eastern Freeway, Box Hill North, was the second highest revenue raiser with $389,267 followed by the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Springvale Rd, Nunawading, with $249,284; the intersection at Canterbury and Mitcham roads Rd, Vermont, with $205,175; and Whitehorse and Elgar roads, Box Hill, with $187,158.

Red light and speeding offences in Whitehorse were up by 1768 compared to the last three months of 2016.

Sgt Egan said drivers were less patient these days and there was a lack of respect on the roads.

“Racing from red light to red light isn’t going to get you where you want to any sooner. But it is going to raise your blood pressure and anger levels,” he said.

Department of Justice and Regulation spokeswoman Ashleigh Brown said road safety cameras played an important role in deterring dangerous driving and reducing road trauma.

“We know that speeding and inappropriate travel speeds directly contribute to at least 30 per cent of deaths on Victoria’s roads each year and, for these reasons, maximum speed limits exist and are enforced throughout Victoria,” she said.