√Speed camera operators accused of hiding new warning signs
New warning signs for speed camera cars were supposed to be introduced in NSW from last month. But social media has lit up amid accusations some operators are not displaying the retractable rooftop signs.
Operators of mobile speed cameras in NSW have been accused of not displaying tractable rooftop signs that were supposed to be introduced last month.
A number of mobile speed camera cars in NSW have been spotted without the new warning signs – or parking in a position that deliberately obscures the vehicle’s location.
Numerous users on social media platforms such as Facebook have posted images of new speed camera cars with limited markings – and with their rooftop signs stowed.
Drive understands the rooftop signs are raised or lowered electronically at the press of a button from inside the vehicle.
Unlike previous portable warning signs – positioned before and after each mobile speed camera car, so motorists knew their speed was being checked – the new signs are mounted on top of unmarked or partially-marked camera cars.
Such is the radar range of the new mobile speed cameras, by the time motorists see the sign, their speed has already been checked.
Some unscrupulous speed camera operators – who in NSW are not police, but independent contractors – seem to have taken matters into their own hands and have either forgotten to raise the new signs or chosen to not display them.
Since NSW switched to sneaky mobile speed camera tactics – and reduced the threshold at which speeding fines are issued – the number of tickets for speeding less than 10km/h over the limit have increased tenfold, delivering the state government a massive financial windfall.
To justify the tough new measures to issue speeding tickets at low speeds, the government has started an advertising blitz declaring “even a few kilometres per hour” over the speed limit can kill.
However, frontline police who attend serious injury and fatal crashes – who have spoken to Drive on condition of anonymity – insist NSW motorists are being taken for a ride, with the majority of serious injury and fatal crashes involving drunk, drug-affected, or banned drivers, often in unsafe or unregistered vehicles.
Some politicians have also weighed into the mobile speed camera warning sign debate.
Greg Piper, the NSW member of parliament for Lake Macquarie on the NSW Central Coast, recently posted on Facebook a photograph showing a new mobile speed camera car that wasn’t displaying its warning sign.
“Last December, the State Government promised that rooftop warning signs would be added to the fleet of mobile speed cameras by February this year,” wrote Mr Piper.
“Clearly, this one parked at Toronto today missed the cut, and so did the one sitting on Wyee Road at Wyee yesterday.
“I’ve seen one on Fishery Point Rd with the rooftop sign added, so why the inconsistency?
“The Minister’s office tells me the signs were being rolled out from February, and not by February, and priority is being given to vehicles that are currently unmarked (the ones at Toronto and Wyee certainly weren’t).
“In any case, I’m told it could be another month before all camera vehicles throughout the state are retro-fitted with the signage.”
In another Facebook forum, a motorist showed a photo of a speed camera car hidden behind a large road sign. The caption simply read: “These blokes are kidding.”
Supporters of stricter speed camera enforcement say they discourage dangerous drivers.
Critics of speed cameras say they don’t stop people from speeding, and simply catch unwitting motorists who are keeping flow with the traffic.
Detractors of speed cameras also say the government’s focus on speed enforcement can have an opposite effect on road safety, as it blinds drivers to other causes of crashes, such as distraction and poor judgement of traffic and conditions.
Experts say speed cameras have a role in road safety – but the speeding thresholds should be higher, so they only catch the worst of the worst drivers.
“Speed cameras do nothing to deter the most dangerous drivers on our roads, and that’s motorists who are affected by drugs, alcohol, or who are banned or have never held a licence,” said one highway patrol officer speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak to media.
“Instead, the government is raking-in millions of dollars from otherwise law-abiding citizens doing a few kilometres per hour over the limit. These speed camera cars are issuing tickets for speeds we would not issue tickets for. If we tried to do that, we’d be writing tickets all day.
“There is such a thing as unintentional speeding, and these mobile cameras are catching people for offences that are minor compared to the real menaces on our roads. If such small speeds are so dangerous, why are motorists allowed to continue to drive past the camera car?”
The post Speed camera operators accused of hiding new warning signs appeared first on Drive.
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