SPEED CAMERAS IN THE NEWS AGAIN

 WACD agrees with the comments of Ken Lay in the Herald Sun today but is
still concerned about the lack of police presence on the roads.

Speed Cameras are still after the fact and we would like to see speeding

prevented by the presence of police.

The problem has been, and still remains, that speed cameras replaced

police on the roads which is what has alienated most drivers against them.

They shoud be doing both if they are serious about saving lives.

Ken Lay is Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) at Victoria Police

THIS IS THE ARTICLE BELOW

I HAVE listened with interest, disappointment and some disbelief to the most recent debate regarding speed cameras and the EastLink roadway.

It has been reported that the Government is engaged in "reprehensible revenue raising" in an effort to boost the state's coffers.

Talkback callers have also been keen to criticise the decision as being financially motivated rather than directed at saving lives.

I should point out in the first instance that I am an unashamed supporter of this technology. Speed cameras, both fixed and mobile, continue to save hundreds of lives a year on our roads.

This technology was first used in Victoria in 1989 and the reduction in road deaths and injuries was immediate.

Since that time there have been thousands of lives saved.

Tens of thousands of people have not been seriously or catastrophically injured and countless friends, relatives and work colleagues have not needed to face the pain and grief of losing someone close to them.

This was achieved simply because the Government of the day, Victoria Police and our road safety partners had the courage to push through significant resistance to establish this life-saving technology.

Since that time, the debate has regularly been reignited. The inevitable accusations that speed cameras are a cash cow continue despite independent research from Australia and abroad.

In 2006 the Auditor-General, after a wide-ranging review, found that speed cameras were primarily aimed at reducing road trauma. The Monash University Accident Research Centre has also strongly supported this life-saving technology in much of their work. Although the term "revenue raising" resonates with many, it cannot be overlooked that road deaths and injuries cost the Victorian community about $5 billion a year.

Whilst I would not presume to speak on behalf of any government, I would guess that they would gladly forgo the $250 million that is donated by speeding drivers every year for the enormous cost reductions that would flow through to the health budget if road users did not speed.

I would like to offer some simple advice to the many thousands of road users who are about to use EastLink.    Don't speed.

Please drive within the posted speed limits as this will ensure that you have a far better chance of arriving at your destination safely.

If you inadvertently creep above the limit, you may receive an infringement, so please take this as a timely reminder that your inattention may have placed yourself or others at risk.

If you intentionally speed on EastLink, or any other highway or road in Victoria, you are potentially committing a criminal offence and your arrogance and stupidity is likely to kill or injure yourself or others.

Traffic infringement fines are a voluntary tax - it is your choice to contribute or otherwise.


WELL SAID-