Speed traps go digital

By Melissa Meehan
TWO speed camera sites in Greater Dandenong have been chosen as part of 30 sites throughout Victoria to be upgraded with digital technology.
Speed cameras on the intersections of Cheltenham and Springvale roads, Keysborough, and McCrae and Foster streets, Dandenong, will change from the existing wet-film red-light camera network to the digital network and will enforce red light offences.
The upgrade in technology was first announced by the State Government in November last year as part of an overall package to reduce road trauma in Victoria.
At present 26 wet-film red-light cameras are rotated through 83 sites on the network. There are 82 fixed dual-speed and red-light digital cameras at intersections.
Assistant Commissioner (Traffic and Transit Safety) Ken Lay said red-light cameras were one of the key enforcement initiatives designed to reduce the number and severity of intersection crashes.
“Last year 28 people were killed as a result of side-impact collisions at intersections with 25 per cent of all serious injuries also caused this way,” he said.
“There were also more than 4000 recorded collisions at intersections and a large percentage of these involved speed and motorists taking a gamble by running a red light.”
He said police had no sympathy for the drivers losing money and demerit points through their “own stupidity”.
“Do the crime, pay the fine – it is as simple as that,” he said.
“The cameras work to reduce road trauma and while that is the case police make no apology for using them.”
Mr Lay said the transition from wet-film to digital red-light cameras was essential as the older system was slowly phased out.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with the accuracy of the wet film red light cameras,” he said.
“However, we are going to reach a point in the near future when the components are no longer available.”
Mr Lay said ideally police would like to have the entire wet-film system upgraded to digital as it had obvious road safety benefits.
“This is something police will continue to talk to government about and we would anticipate that it may take place some time in the future,” Mr Lay said.
“The great advantage of red-light cameras is that they allow for the offence to be enforced safely without putting our members in danger by following another vehicle through.”
A full list of the 30 digital sites and all other traffic camera sites in Victoria is available at www.justice.vic.gov.au/camerascutcrashes