Victorians to be quizzed on cameras, higher fees and lower speed limits in road safety survey

NEW traffic cameras, higher fees for repeat offenders and lower speed limits are all on the table with the launch of a major road safety survey.

1.4 million drivers in Victoria paid a total of $356 million in speed and red light camera fines in 2015-16. Picture : Andrew Batsch

NEW traffic cameras, higher fees for repeat offenders and lower speed limits are all on the table with the launch of a major road safety survey.

Road Safety Camera ­Commissioner John Voyage wants to know what Victorians think of speed and red light cameras and has vowed to act on the results of the survey.

Mr Voyage told the Herald Sun the survey findings would help him decide whether to recommend any changes to the traffic camera system.

Road Safety Camera commissioner John Voyage

Today, an independent survey company will begin randomly selecting a represent-ative sample of road users whose views will be sought on the accuracy of cameras and the fairness of the speed and red light camera system.

Among more than 70 questions, participants will also be asked whether they support:

LOWER speed limits.

MORE warning signs about speed and red light camera ­locations.

MORE traffic cameras, if the fine proceeds are spent directly on road safety.

HIGHER registration or ­licence renewal fees for those who have received a speeding fine in the previous five years.

LOWER fees for those who’ve not been fined in that time.

Mr Voyage said the survey would also seek opinions on whether speed cameras are more about revenue-raising than about saving lives.

“There is no doubt in my mind that traffic cameras are all about road safety,” he said.

“There is a huge amount of revenue raised, but it is a ­voluntary contribution.”

The latest figures reveal more than 1.4 million drivers in Victoria paid a total of $356 million in speed and red light camera fines in 2015-16.

The most prolific speed camera was at the intersection of Warrigal and Batesford roads in Chadstone, where 56,550 motorists coughed up more than $13.2 million. Mr Voyage said the survey would be repeated so as to track changes in public opinion.