Speed cameras are being used on high-revenue raising roads in Adelaide rather than accident hotspots, State Government data reveals. (Wednesday, 24 November 2004)
Speed cameras are being used on high-revenue raising roads in Adelaide rather than accident hotspots, State Government data reveals.
Liberal Legislative Councillor Michelle Lensink said the location of speed cameras has little or no connection with major accident sites.
"The State Government has clearly been ripping off coatal drivers while ignoring the most common crash sites," Ms Lensink said.
"The government claims speed cameras are placed at locations where there is a high risk of serious accidents or fatalities, but the data would suggest otherwise."
In reply to a Question On Notice, the Government revealed the seven "best" sites for camera locations in 2002 and 2003 were:
Location - Expiations - Number of serious/fatal crashes
Seaview Rd, Grange - $484,205 - 0
Military Rd, West Beach - $268,027 - 0
Trimmer Pde, Seaton - $168,912 - 4
Fredrick Rd, Seaton - $86,239 - 1
West Lakes Bvd - Semaphore Pk - $83,518 - 4
Military Rd, Semaphore Pk - $65,477 - 1
Frederick Rd, Grange - $18,741 - 1
Ms Lensink slammed the government for the findings, urging more emphasis to be placed at crash hotspots.
"The two highest yielding locations had no serious or fatal accidents over the period in question," she said.
"Furthermore, other roads which have significant numbers of serious and fatal accidents do not seem to get the same attention because they do not raise enough funds for the government coffers."
Ms Lensink said the SA Police Traffic Speed Camera policy dated May 2002 stated "Speed cameras will only be deployed at locations assessed by Traffic Intelligence as having a road safety risk for that location or contributing to a road safety risk at another location". This includes: - Whether the locaition has a crash history; - Whether the location has been identified by SAPOL Road Safety audits as having a road safety risk.
The policy also states that "speed cameras are not to be located to operate on the down slope or foot of a hill, unless there is an identified road safety risk associated with that section of the hills".
"Speed cameras were introduced to combat the number of crashes on South Australian roads," Ms Lensink said.
"This data proves what we have all suspected for a long time, and that is cameras are being used to rip-off motorists."
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