Kensington junction rates second worst for red light camera fines between July and September

AN INTERSECTION in Melbourne’s northwest has been rated among the worst for running red lights.

The corner of Epsom and Smithfield roads in Kensington has been ranked second worst for drivers running red lights between July and September 2016.

A  BUSY Kensington intersection is among Melbourne’s worst for running red lights.

Drivers were slugged almost­ half a million dollars for running reds at the corner of Epsom and Smithfield roads from July to September.

The intersection was the second highest red light camera hotspot across the city, with 1225 infringements.

It was second only to the Flinders/William streets intersection in the CBD, which saw 1901 drivers cop fines.

Department of Justice and Regulation spokesman Michael­ Newhouse said it was disappointing to see so many drivers continuing to run red lights.

“Last year, we saw 292 people tragically lose their lives on Victorian roads,” he said.

“People need to realise that it’s never safe to enter an intersection­ when the light is red.

“Count yourself lucky if all you get hit with is a $389 fine and three demerit points.”

Strathmore woman Katherine Conti received a fine at the Kensington intersection about two years ago, but agreed red light cameras were important.

“There’s a lot of intersections where I think there should be some because there’s a lot of people that go through (red lights),” she said.

Hillside man Gary Meyer was also stung at the intersection while driving a truck and trailer to a job in Moonee Ponds, but said he had “no hope” with a loaded vehicle.

“If I have to stop, I’m stuck in the middle of an intersection,” he said.

In the same quarter, 1004 infringements worth $291,442 were issued to drivers nabbed at the junction of Macaulay­ Rd and Stubbs St in Kensington, while drivers coughed up $46,016 at the corner of Maribyrnong and Mt Alexander roads, Moonee Ponds.

Meanwhile, northbound lanes one and two of the Western Ring Rd at the Keilor Park Drive bridge, Keilor East, racked up $190,582 worth of speed infringements.