Speed Cameras

I seek leave to make an explanation before asking the Minister for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, representing the Minister for Transport, a question about speed camera locations and road fatalities.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: On 24 May this year, I received a reply to my question on notice regarding the 20 most common locations of speed cameras in the year 2003. Upon comparing this information with the locations of serious road accidents and fatalities and documents obtained under freedom of information and details published in The Advertiser of 3 January, there is a poor correlation. We know that speed is a factor in road accidents, particularly serious ones, yet only two of 20 on the list of the most popular speed camera locations—that is, West Terrace, Adelaide and the Victor Harbor Road at Mount Compass—were the locations of tragedies in 2003. Yet in an article dated 25 March entitled ‘Road deaths reduced in 50-kilometre per hour zones’ the transport minister cited research showing that fatalities had reduced on 50 km/h roads, saying that ‘safety on our roads’ is the most important thing. Analysis of speed camera locations shows that the most common placements include multiple lane major roads, locations where there is a speed change, 50 km/h zones and hills. My questions are:

1. In light of the lack of correlation between the placement of speed cameras and serious road accidents or fatality sites, will the government admit that speed cameras are prioritised as a revenue raising tool?

2. Does SA Police have a target level of revenue that it is expected to raise from the collection of fines from speed cameras and, if so, does this influence the placement of them?

3. Will the government release the policy referred to by Superintendent Roger Zeuner in The Advertiser of 26 May 2004?

4. What parameters constitute a ‘road safety risk’ in the placement of speed cameras, as mentioned by Superintendent Zeuner in that article?

5. Will the government admit that it has been negligent and knowingly deceptive in the placement of speed cameras by failing to target recognised serious accident locations?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Industry, Trade and Regional Development): I will pass those questions on to my colleague. I suspect that it is probably more the Minister for Police rather than the Minister for Transport who will provide the answers to most of those questions, but I will ensure the honourable member receives an answer from one of my colleagues.

Tuesday 14 September 2004

In reply to Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (31 May).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: The Minister for Police has provided the following information:

The Commissioner of Police has advised:

(1) Speed is recognised throughout the world as a major contributor to vehicle crashes and associated trauma. Speed Cameras are utilised in South Australia in an endeavour to reduce road crashes prior to them occurring. Using a problem solving approach, SAPOL deploys speed cameras in strict compliance with a deployment policy, not necessarily to treat dangerous crash locations after the event, but at locations to prevent crashes before they occur.

(2) No. Revenue from collection of fines is forecast based on planned law enforcement programs.

(3) Yes, policy stated in Question 4.

(4) South Australia Police has a policy for the deployment of speed cameras. That policy is strictly adhered to and pertinent parts of that policy are reproduced:

Specific instructions for speed camera operations

4.1 Deployment

4.1.1 Deployment Schedules

Traffic Intelligence Section will prepare the deployment schedules of speed cameras for Police Security Services Branch (PSSB). This will be based on the criteria contained in 4.2.2. There is no discretion for operators or PSSB supervisors/managers to change assigned locations to other than an alternate location provided by the Police Traffic Intelligence Section (TIS).

4.2 Operating Policy

4.2.1 Straight Road

Speed camera slant radar must only be set up on a straight section of road.

4.2.2 Locating Speed Cameras

All speed camera locations are to be established by the Police TIS.

Speed cameras will only be deployed at locations assessed by TIS as having a road safety risk for that location or contributing to a road safety risk at another location.

In assessing the road safety risk’ for a location, TIS will consider any/all of the following factors:

Whether the location has a crash history;

Whether the location contributes to crashes in other nearby locations;

Whether the location has been identified by SAPOL Road Safety Audits as having a road safety risk;

Where intelligence reports provide information of dangerous driving practices associated with speeding, especially speed dangerous;

Whether the physical condition of a location creates a road safety risk. A hill is not to be regarded as a physical condition.

(5) See answer to question 1.