Expert says motorists slugged $4m in single month by Nepean Highway, Davey Street camera
The number of infringements being recorded by a Frankston action group fighting speeding fines is the tip of the iceberg, an expert says.
South East
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The ‘Frankston flasher’ speed camera is pinging at least 600 motorists every day leading to at least $8 million in fines since changes were made in April, an expert has claimed.
Retired engineer Ian Robins wants an independent investigation into the fixed camera at the intersection of Nepean Highway and Davey Street after his own research suggested the number of infringements being issued was much higher than those recorded by a local action group.
The Nepean Highway Frankston Speed Camera Fines group has recorded $435,000 in fines.
However, Mr Robins has been counting flashes at the intersection to calculate the revenue being raised by the controversial camera and he believes the figure is much higher.
“I’ve arrived at an estimate of 36 infringements being recorded every hour between 6am and midnight and another 10 an hour being recorded from midnight to 6am,” Mr Robins said.
“That’s more than 600 a day. If we assume people are receiving the lowest fine for travelling less than 10km/h over the posted speed limit ($227) it still equates to $4 million in fines for May alone.
“High numbers of infringements have been recorded at other locations, but if these numbers continue this site will break all previous records in a few months.”
The most recent speed camera data has revealed a camera on the Western Ring Rd in Broadmeadows nabbed the most offenders from October to December, collecting a whopping $10,934,850 and issuing more than 30,000 fines across four lanes.
Mr Robins said a new 40km/h speed zone introduced on the southbound side of Nepean Highway was not properly signed and many motorists receiving fines were not aware of the change.
He called for an independent investigation into the type of signs needed “to be clear
and highly visible on divided arterials and achieve the high levels of awareness essential to meeting the safety goals”.
His call comes as Vic Roads blamed United Energy for delays in activating electronic 40km/h signs warning motorists of the new speed zone.
In a letter seen by the Leader the authority said six new flashing signs were installed but had not been turned on.
“Civil works and underground electrical cabling works have been completed but we are experiencing delays with power connection,” the letter said.
“Drivers should follow the speed limit displayed on static signs, while we work with power companies to connect power onsite.”
A United Energy spokesman said the company was aware of connection requests for the site.
“We are waiting for some further information from the department’s contractor to allow us to safely connect these signs,” the spokesman said.
We expect to receive this soon and, once we do, we don’t expect any delays in our connection works.”
Promising sign in fight against ‘Frankston flasher’
Frankston Council is calling for fines issued by a Nepean Highway speed camera to be waived until electronic signs warning motorists of a new speed zone are operating.
At least $400,000 in fines have been issued since an existing fixed speed camera at the Davey Street intersection began enforcing a new 40km/h speed limit.
Critics say the speed zone, introduced to enable outdoor dining, was not clear, and flashing signs installed a year ago to alert motorists to the change were yet to be switched on.
In a letter to a man who received a fine the council said it was writing to the Roads Safety Camera Commissioner to request “the consideration of fine waivers until works have been completed”.
The letter, posted to social media on Friday night, revealed the council had also complained to the Department of Transport about the delay in the flashing speed limit signs and asked for a review of current static 40km/h signs to see if improvements were needed.
“We recognise that the introduction of this lowered speed limit has been problematic for our community, especially as it occurred prior to works being fully completed by DOT which will include flashing electronic speed limit signs,” the letter says.
The move was welcomed by the Nepean Highway Frankston Speed Camera Fines group.
“It’s great that the Council is advocating for its community,” one woman posted.
Another member said she had also received a similar letter from the council.
‘We’re not hoons’ School mums want speed camera probe
A speed camera on a major road in Melbourne’s south is racking up at least $20,000 in fines daily and most caught out are doing less than 50km/h.
At least 900 people have been fined since an existing fixed speed camera on the Nepean Highway, Frankston began enforcing a new 40km/h zone.
They say the new speed zone, introduced to enable outdoor dining, was not clear and flashing signs installed a year ago to alert motorists to the change were yet to be activated.
Mount Eliza mum Maria Davoren started a Facebook group to document how many people had been “unfairly” penalised at the Nepean Highway and Davey Street intersection.
Since it began on May 30, 873 people have registered $370,000 in fines.
“We’re not hoons. Most of those fined were driving below the old speed limit and simply weren’t aware it had changed,” Ms Davoren said.
“We’ve had two reports from school mums who shared a run from Seaford to Mornington and they have both been fined so many times they have each lost their licence.”
Reality TV star Gamble Breaux on Wednesday joined the campaign after receiving three fines.
“The Frankston Flasher is out of control, and that’s coming from someone who’s done 10 years of reality TV,” she posted.
Ms Breaux said the constant flashing of the camera at the intersection was distracting and motorists were focused on their speedometer, not the road.
“In my opinion this camera is dangerous. A revenue shark veiled as road safety,” Ms Breaux said.
Other members of the group have called for a class action to fight the fines.
Road Safety Camera Commissioner Neville Taylor on Wednesday told 3AW his office had received many complaints about the Nepean Highway camera.
He committed to conducting an inquiry into how the new speed zone at Frankston was rolled out and “how fair this was to road users”.
“What is critical for road safety cameras to be effective in changing behaviour like speed or distraction is that people have to be confident in them.
“If people have a sense that it’s not fair, that can really rock that, so that’s a really important one for me.”
According to a written statement from the office of Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll the Nepean Highway speed limit between Fletcher Road and Davey Street was dropped to 40km/h in October, 2021 to enable safe outdoor dining.
Static signs informing drivers of the new speed were installed when the speed limit changed and the camera began enforcing the new limit in mid-April 2022.
A mobile electronic sign was displayed for four weeks after the camera was activated.
The statement confirmed that six electronic speed signs were installed by the Department of Transport to ensure a consistent 40km/h speed limit along the busy strip.
“The signs will be switched on in coming weeks.”
Frankston Council chief executive Phil Cantillon said the council welcomed the lowered speed zone but recognised it had been “problematic for our community”.
He said the council had asked the Department of Transport to install temporary electronic message boards and had written to the Office of the Road Safety Camera Commission about the issue.