Hi-tech speed cameras being tested on Victorian roads

EXCLUSIVE: HI-TECH speed cameras that can blitz motorists across eight lanes of two-way traffic are being tested on the state’s busy roads.

Speed cameras that can blitz motorists across eight lanes of two-way traffic are being tested on the state’s busy roads. Generic picture.

HI-TECH speed cameras that can blitz motorists across eight lanes of two-way traffic are being tested on the state’s busy roads.

The Department of Justice and Regulation is trialling the new speed cameras, which can snap drivers from both the front and back.

It comes as figures reveal one motorist is now being nabbed for speeding every 20 seconds. The super cams trial, which started recently, will examine how effectively they work on Victorian roads.

Currently speed cameras can only detect speeding vehicles travelling in one lane and in one direction.

It can also be revealed five new fixed speed cameras are being rolled out at intersections across the state.

The Herald Sun can reveal, based on recent figures, by the end of the year more than a billion dollars will have gone into government coffers from fines over the past three years.

Mobile, fixed speed and red light cameras pinged almost three million drivers in 2014 and 2015 who paid almost $700 million in fines.

This was on top of the 263,830 fines — 361 fines a day — traffic cops dished out in the same period. Speed cameras in 40km/h zones remain Victoria’s biggest cash cows.

The number of motorists caught on fixed cameras and mobile cameras has dipped by about 2.7 per cent between 2014 and 2015 but despite the drop, drivers still paid $9.5 million more for their fines.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said cutting down road deaths and injuries should be at the forefront of any investment.

“We’re always looking at new technologies to drive down the number of crashes and make our roads as safe as possible,” she said.

Police Minister Lisa Neville says cutting down road deaths and injuries should be at the forefront of any investment. Picture: Sarah Matray

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said speed cameras reduced the need for speed in some drivers and saved lives.

“We would prefer no one gets a speeding ticket — all they have to do is not speed,” he said. “We still see some outrageous driving behaviour.

“Every week we still see some motorists travelling in excess of 200km/h, crazy speeds and we capture them on speed cameras.”

RACV general policy manager Brian Negus said speed cameras should only be in high risk locations, provided appropriate speed limits were set.

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