Chain of Responsibility Update: Attention Truck Drivers! More Speed Cameras for NSW

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Mobile speed cameras

A possible solution to the problem of speeding in NSW is the proposed introduction of more speed cameras, which authorities hope will deter motorists from exceeding speed limits along major highways.

The recent incident involving a truck, which was caught travelling 30km per hour over the speed limit, is one of the many cases involving speeding motorists. The high number of similar incidents has prompted authorities to take preventative measures to avoid tragedy. The truck driver was fined a mere $463 and four demerits after travelling 130km per hour along the Hume Highway at Mittagong.  It is hoped that cameras will serve as a warning to truckies  (and other drivers) that they are being watched and will be held liable for the consequences of their actions.  (Image source:  Albany Criminal Lawyers)

According to a report by Fullyloaded.com.au:

Officers pulled the driver over and issued a $463 infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 20km/h. The driver also lost four demerit points.

“Police issued a defect notice for the truck’s speed limiter to be inspected within seven days. Further action could be taken by police depending on the outcome of those checks,” a statement from NSW Police says.

Superintendent Stuart Smith says it is concerning a small minority of the trucking industry continues to flout road laws in the wake of publicised actions against well-known trucking companies earlier this year.

Smith says speed is a major contributing factor in 40 percent of all fatal crashes.

“Because of their size and weight, any crash involving a speeding truck is likely to have a tragic outcome. There were 75 fatalities involving heavy vehicles last year alone,” he says.

Smith says police will continue to work with the Roads and Maritime Services to target operators and drivers tampering with speed limiters.  Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1206/speeding-truckie-cops-$463-fine-four-demerits


Image Source: http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/trucks-take-toll-in-separate-accidents/story-fn6ck45n-1226034058534

Speeding remains the biggest killer on our roads and in NSW speeding causes about 40 per cent of road deaths.  Approximately 177 people die each year in speed-related crashes in NSW and approximately 75 people died in heavy vehicle fatalities last year alone. Authorities hope more cameras will help to reduce this statistic.

More cameras along the highway will also help to raise funds which will be used for road safety projects. The cameras will be aimed at reducing speeding, red-light and other road offences. The public can also have their say, by nominating areas they view as problematic to road safety.

According to another report by Fullyloaded.com.au:

Money raised from camera-detected infringements will be funnelled into road safety projects as part of a new program in NSW that will increase the number of mobile speed cameras and point-to-point units.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay says revenue from speeding, red-light and point-to-point camera offences will go to the soon to be established NSW Community Road Safety Fund.

The government body will be responsible for investing the funds into more police enforcement operations, engineering works and road safety education.

New point-to-point cameras for heavy vehicles will be erected on the Pacific Highway from Tyndale to Harwood and Wardell to Ballina.

Signs warning motorists of a mobile speed camera will be posted 250 metres from the site instead of the current warning of 50 metres. Gay says mobile speed camera vans will have more identifiable markings.

“The new strategy will expand the mobile speed camera program but also will improve signage to make mobile speed cameras more visible,” Gay says.

The number of vans on NSW Roads will reach 45 vehicles operating at 2,500 locations for 7,000 hours per month by July next year, Gay says.

Meanwhile, the number of intersections with red-light speed cameras will rise from 91 to 200 by the end of 2014.

“Warning signs for safety cameras will more than double in size and safety camera signs will be changed from ‘safety camera ahead’ to ‘red light speed camera ahead’,” Gay says.

“This will make it clearer to motorists that they will be infringed not only if they pass through red lights but if they speed.”

The NSW Government is also allowing members of the public to nominate areas they believe should have speed cameras. The Centre for Road Safety will determine if the nominated location is suitable.

Gay says the government will provide detailed information about the safety benefits of having a speed camera at a particular location.

“No cameras will be in place if there are no safety benefits,” he says.

“We will look at closely monitoring these locations to ensure the cameras are having a positive road safety effect. Where it is determined the camera has not been effective, other road safety alternatives will be considered.”

Source: https://www.fullyloaded.com.au/industry-news/1206/more-speed-cameras-on-the-way-in-nsw

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