Wyndham Vale mobile speed camera Victoria’s top cash earner

Leadfoots at two mobile speed camera sites in Melbourne’s west are stung more than anywhere else in the state. See where the cameras are.

Victoria Police has warned speeding drivers to slow down or risk getting slapped with a fine. Picture: Paul Loughnan

Two mobile speed camera sites in Melbourne’s west raked in the cash last year despite roads being quieter during lockdown.

Leadfoot drivers on Black Forest Rd in Wyndham Vale, between Brimpton Grove and McGrath Rd, were stung with a total of 3740 fines in the year to December — more than any other mobile camera location in the state, according to Car Expert figures.

Traffic cameras netted $330 million in fine revenue last financial year, and the government expects that figure to increase to $475 million this financial year.

Westgate Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Leemara Fairgrieve said it was disappointing to see people putting their own and other people’s lives at risk by disobeying the road rules.

A second mobile speed camera site on Ballarat Rd, Footscray, between Geelong Rd and Jamieson Ave, is also in the highway unit’s patrol area and came in as the state’s fifth highest money earner.

It dished out 2930 infringements in 12 months.

“Speed is one of the biggest killers on Victorian roads. By reducing speed, you increase the likelihood of surviving a collision,” Sen-Sgt Fairgrieve said.

“We ask drivers to slow down, be patient and stick to the speed limit.”

Information provided by Victoria Police noted speed contributed to more than a third of all fatal crashes on the state’s roads.

Sen-Sgt Fairgrieve said it was vital motorists stayed alert and paid careful attention as roads got busier with adults returning to the office and children starting back at school.

“As people return to work or the classroom, our message to drivers is to please slow down, be aware of your surroundings and stay off your mobile phone,” she said.

“We do not want to be issuing infringements, but if people choose to put lives at risk then we will hold them to account.”

Three other mobile camera sites at Wetherby Rd in Doncaster, between Doncaster Rd and Koonung Creek, Oak St in Parkville, between Park and Manningham streets, and Bell St in Preston, between Harold and Watson streets, rounded out the list of top five earning cameras.