Speed cameras Victoria: Rosanna Road and Darebin Street Heidelberg top earner

Speed cameras have continued to rake in millions of dollars despite our COVID lockdown. Find out where you’re most likely to get snapped.

Drivers continue to be nabbed by speed cameras at the intersection of Warrigal Rd and Batesford Rd Chadstone. Picture: Paul Loughnan

Victoria’s most lucrative speed cameras have been revealed, with thousands of drivers nabbed despite the COVID-19 lockdown.

The fixed traffic cameras at the intersection of Rosanna Rd and Darebin St Heidelberg (northbound), caught the most drivers, with 23,807 infringements in 2020, according to CarExpert.com.au.

This was followed by the intersection of Warrigal Rd and Batesford Rd Chadstone, with 23,401 infringements; and the intersection of King St and La Trobe St, West Melbourne Lane, with 18,502 infringements.

Overall, traffic cameras earned the State Government $330 million in revenue last financial year.

CarExpert.com.au managing editor Paul Maric said he was surprised at how many speeding fines had been dished out in 2020, given many people hadn’t driven for a big part of the year due to the lockdown.

The cameras at the intersection of King and La Trobe St. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Maric said some of intersections with top earning cameras had variable speed limits.

“Ahead of the speed cameras they will have a flashing sign that will display a different speed limit … and they configure the speed camera to work in conjunction with the new limit,” he said.

“So if for example it’s a school zone, even if that road may normally be 70km/h or 80km/h it’s now 40km/h, and if you’ve missed the sign you’ll sail through that intersection and get snapped.

“This is what is catching a lot of drivers, and my understanding is (the top earning Heidelberg intersection) is one of those areas that has recently had a speed reduction and drivers simply aren’t watching.

“Whether that comes down to distractions, such as mobile phones, or people just not concentrating on the road, it’s a pretty clear example of why drivers need to spend a bit more time watching the road rather than playing with things in the car around them.”

Mr Maric said the State Government had forecast in its latest budget that revenue from speed cameras was set to increase by 44 per cent which was “massive”.

He said it was troubling that despite the fact there were more cameras, there had not been a corresponding reduction in the road toll.

“It brings into question whether speed cameras are effective or whether they simply generate revenue for the government.”

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperon said Victoria’s road safety camera program played a critical role in changing driver behaviour and saving lives.

“Too many lives have been lost on our roads already this year and it’s up to every motorist to make the right decisions when they’re behind the wheel,” the spokesperson said.

“When they don’t, road safety cameras and Victoria Police are there to hold them accountable.

“Every single dollar received goes into the Better Roads Victoria Trust Account, which is used to improve road safety and to reduce transport costs for business and improve access for local communities.”

TOP FIVE FIXED CAMERA LOCATIONS IN 2020

Intersection of Rosanna Rd and Darebin St Heidelberg (northbound), 23,807 infringements

Intersection of Warrigal Rd and Batesford Rd Chadstone, 23,401 infringements

Intersection of King St and La Trobe St, West Melbourne Lane, 18,502 infringements

Intersection of Fitzroy St and Lakeside Drive St Kilda, 18,107 infringements

Intersection of Terminal Drive and Centre Rd Melbourne Airport, 11,593 infringements

*Includes speeding, red light and unregistered vehicle offences

TOP FIVE MOBILE LOCATIONS

Black Forest Rd Wyndham Vale, between Brimpton Grove and McGrath Rd, 3740 infringements

Wetherby Rd Doncaster, between Doncaster Rd and Koonung Creek, 3422 infringements

Oak St Parkville, between Park St and Manningham St, 3338 infringements

Bell St Preston, between Harold St and Watson St, 3321 infringements

Ballarat Rd Footscray, between Geelong Rd and Jamieson Ave, 2930 infringements

Source: CarExpert.com.au