The NSW Government wants to install hidden speed cameras throughout the state. They think that by doing this, they’ll make people drive slower, because slower speeds statistically result in less death. They also want the increased revenue such a system would give them – more speeding fines is more money in the bank.
The reality is that motor vehicle accidents have been reduced dramatically over the past 30 years, and the institution of speed cameras has only been a tiny part of that approach.
Better driver training is, in my opinion, the ultimate key to increasing road safety. What I’d like to see in NSW (and in other states):-
- Removal of all speed cameras.
- A driver training and certification program that goes beyond the “L” and “P” system currently in place. Drivers should be required to attend intermediate and advanced driver training courses to receive their P and full licenses respectively.
- Abolition of speed limits for Learner and Provisional drivers. This is the case in Victoria, but here in NSW you must drive at 80 and 90/100 for L and P1/P2 respectively. This is incredibly dangerous, as fast moving traffic mixing with slow moving traffic often causes accidents.
- A driver recertification program for traffic infringements. Rather than gain demerit points on your license, I would rather see drivers who infringe basic traffic rules such as not indicating in roundabouts or when merging, or tailgating, sent back to driving school to be recertified.
All of the above would be expensive to implement, but if state and federal governments are serious in reducing road tolls, adding more speed cameras is not the answer. That just increases speed camera revenue.
Too true, there was a study done some years back in the UK. They seemed to be causing accidents as people were inclined to relax when they thought they were “safe” or past the camera traps. Perhaps the focus should be driving skills, getting heavy vehicles off the road during peak hour and dual-lane carriageways.
Why does the emphasis seem to be on revenue and not safety?
What’s wrong with increased speed camera revenue?
Nothing, if that’s your stated goal.
The problem is they are sold as decreasing accidents, when they don’t. The only positive thing they do is increase revenue for the state.
If they said, the money gets used to train drivers to drive more safely, then I’d not have a problem with it. But the money just goes into the budget and gets used wherever they like.