Geelong’s speed cameras earn nearly $1 million in fines in first three months of 2018

SPEED and red light cameras across Geelong raked in nearly $1 million in fines from law breaking drivers over the first three months of the year.

Eleven speed cameras in Geelong netted $994,808 in fines issued between January and March 2018. Picture: Peter Ristevski

SPEED and red light cameras across Geelong raked in nearly $1 million in fines from law-breaking drivers over the first three months of the year.

New data from the Department of Justice and Regulation reveals 11 speed cameras in Geelong netted $994,808 in fines issued between January and March 2018.

A notorious camera at the intersection of La Trobe Tce and Fyans St in South Geelong was the region’s No.1 earner with 701 fines totalling $230,860.

Other top earners were intersections at Princes Highway and Station St, Corio; Princes Highway and Sparks Rd, Norlane and Moorabool St and Fyans St, South Geelong.

More than 29,000 infringements totalling more than $7 million were issued to drivers travelling between Geelong and Melbourne over the same period. The cameras on the Lara overpass nabbed 6658 drivers, raking in more than $1.5 million in revenue for the Victorian government.

A Department of Justice and Regulation spokeswoman said all revenue from camera fines are used to improve road safety and the efficiency of roads.

“Speed cameras play a critical role in changing driver behaviour and helping keep people safe on our roads. They help save lives and prevent serious injury,” the spokeswoman said.

“We know that speeding directly contributes to at least 30 per cent of deaths on Victoria’s roads each year, which is why maximum speed limits exist and are enforced throughout Victoria.

“We’d prefer it if no one received a fine, because it would mean that people are sticking to the speed limit and obeying the road rules.”

Decisions around the placement of fixed road safety cameras are determined by the Fixed Camera Site Selection Committee, which receives proposals and considers the potential road safety benefits of the placement of a road safety camera in a particular area.

There are also around 2000 sites where mobile cameras operate, with the locations and operating times determined by Victoria Police.

“All revenue from camera fines go into the Better Roads Victoria Trust Account, with the funds used to improve road safety and the efficiency of Victoria’s roads, and also to reduce transport costs for business and improve access for local communities,” the spokeswoman said.

Statewide 340,812 fines were issued during the January-March quarter, collecting a total of $87.4 million. The majority of the speeding fines were to motorists exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h.

GEELONG’S TOP CAMERA EARNERS.

LA TROBE Tce and Fyans St, South Geelong — $230,860

PRINCES Highway and Station Street, Corio — $200,654

PRINCES Highway and Sparks Rd, Norlane — $189, 290

MOORABOOL St and Fyans St, South Geelong — $110, 263

SETTLEMENT Rd and Torquay Rd, Belmont — $79,054

Originally published as Geelong’s speed cameras earn nearly $1 million in fines in first three months of 2018