Tasmania’s mobile speed cameras have raked in $3.2 million from 25,000 tickets since September, but the Greens are raising concerns about a ‘revenue raising exercise.’
Claims by Cassy O’Connor that the placement of the cameras is being focused on revenue rather than road safety were shut down by Treasurer & Transport Minister Michael Ferguson today, who said no concerns have been raised about the 400+ camera locations within the overseeing committee.
In addition to catching speeders, the cameras will soon target seatbelt violations and mobile phone use while driving.
April: Phone, seatbelt camera testing goes live across Tasmania
Testing of new phone and seatbelt detection cameras has begun across Tasmania this week as the State Government beings the roll out of the ‘life saving technology’.
The technology, which is capable of detecting drivers who are not wearing their seatbelts correctly or using their phones while driving, will soon be integrated with the existing speed detection capabilities.
The cameras will operate both day and night, with fines of $362 and three demerit points issued to those caught breaking the rules once testing has completed.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said 11 people have lost their lives on Tasmanian roads this year, with 123 seriously injured.
“This is simply unacceptable, and as a Government, we will continue to do everything we can to reduce road trauma,” Mr Ferguson said.
“The introduction of new detection camera technology to automatically detect people incorrectly wearing a seatbelt or illegally using a mobile phone is the latest in a long list of actions we are taking to achieve that reduction.”
“If you are doing the wrong thing, you will be caught.”
“Automated speed detection cameras have been in force in Tasmania since September last year, already nabbing 18,437 speedsters. Now, we are ramping up this technology to make our roads safer.”
