Speed Cameras Making Roads Safer

The words ‘speed camera’ will conjure up different impressions for different people, particularly if they have received a ticket from one. But whilst some may view them in a negative light, the speed camera serves as a positive and integral component of the Queensland Police Service’s goal to promote safe and responsible road use in Queensland.

Introduced in 1997, the Speed Camera Program has had a noticeable effect on driving behaviour. Statistical information provided by a Monash University Accident Research Centre evaluation showed that the utilisation of the speed camera assisted in the decrease of fatal injuries due to speed related accidents.  Additionally, the evaluation identified the number of vehicles detected travelling over the speed limit has dropped from around 5% in May 1997 to approximately 0.98% of vehicles monitored by speed cameras in June 2003. The evaluation also found there is an annual saving of 1,100 hospitalisations, 2,200 medical treatments, 500 other injury and 1,600 non injury road crashes as a direct result of the Queensland Speed Camera Program.  In terms of annual levels of road trauma in Queensland, these savings represent a 32% reduction in fatal crashes, a 26% reduction in fatal and medical treatment crashes combined and a 21% reduction in all reported casualty crashes.

So how are speed camera locations determined? The speed camera selection placement is divided into 2 criteria.  The primary criteria is for zones with a history of speed related crashes of all severities.  The secondary criteria comprises where road works are being conducted, locations that have been identified through validated public complaints and locations that have been identified through validated stakeholder concern or local knowledge of problem locations.

Love them or loath them, speed cameras are here to stay and play a positive role in reducing the incidents of speeding.  If you don’t speed you can’t get caught.