New speed cameras on Tasmania’s Bridgewater Bridge issued more than $41,000 in fines during their first week of operation, Pulse can reveal.
The Department of State Growth confirmed 246 infringements were issued between August 1-7, resulting in $41,410 in fines.
“We are pleased to report an approximate 70% reduction in speeding incidents detected on the new Bridgewater Bridge since the speed cameras went live compared to the testing period,” a department spokesperson said.
The cameras, which enforce the bridge’s 80km/h speed limit, began issuing fines on August 1 following a seven-week testing period that detected an alarming average of 800 speeding offences weekly.
During the first operational week, 119 motorists were caught driving less than 10km/h over the limit, while 66 were detected at 10-14km/h over.
More serious offences included 34 drivers exceeding the limit by 15-22km/h, 23 travelling 23-29km/h over and four drivers caught at dangerously high speeds above 30km/h over the limit.
The worst offender was clocked at 135km/h, 55km/h above the posted speed limit.
“Any level of speeding is illegal and unsafe,” the spokesperson said.
“When lots of drivers speed by even a small amount, it makes the road-network less forgiving to mistakes and more dangerous for everyone.”
The new cameras, identical to those on the Tasman Bridge, can monitor traffic across all lanes and detect speeding vehicles travelling in both directions simultaneously.
Authorities have warned that regular commuters who ignore the limit could face multiple penalties, potentially losing their licence if caught repeatedly.
“To anyone thinking of speeding on the bridge, you will be caught,” the spokesperson warned.
Speeding fines in Tasmania can reach up to $1,178.75 and six demerit points for each offence, with every detected incident resulting in a separate infringement notice.
