Motorists unhappy with their speeding violations can now double-check the accuracy of speed cameras online, obviating the need for expensive and time-consuming Freedom of Information (FoI) requests. The change is designed to save both drivers and the government time and money associated with procuring the reports, replacing it instead with a certificate of accuracy and online verification.

Victoria is already notorious for allowing only a 3km/h grace for speeders, despite Australian Design Rules (ADR) speedometer regulations allowing a variance of up to 10%.  A plain reading of section 18.5.1.1.2 - the part relevant to speedometer tolerances - indicates, however, that the 10% variation may only be allowed in situations above 40km/h and may only err on the high side, rather than the low side. That would mean motorists have no justification for a speeding ticket on the basis of an inaccurate yet ADR-compliant speedometer, since it would be reading as much as 10% faster than the actual speed travelled.

Reducing burden on government could have ancillary benefits
As many as 20% of all FoI requests within the Department of Justice are related to speed camera verification, so the new policy should significantly improve the flow of more substantial requests while at the same time reducing costs and overheads associated with administering the numerous traffic-related requests.

The overall burden of FoI requests still isn’t very high, however. Premier John Brumby expects the decrease in requests handled will number around 100 per year, leaving about 400 requests for the Department to process, or about two per working day.

The nearly-instantaneous access to speed camera verification allowed by the new system could also result in less widespread belief that the cameras are inaccurate, and enhance the public’s confidence in the system, according to Brumby.

New system also allows mapping of speed cameras
Victoria's fixed speed camera locations are revealed on the new website as well, revealing their location for the first time. Cameras had before only been listed by name.

Those concerned with their violations can see both the location of their fine and the accuracy of the camera from within the same system. Motorists simply visiting out of personal interest can see the information as well, since it's free to access and publicly available.

Earlier this year a secret report leaked out of the Victorian government that revealed the state is counting on as much as $1.5 billion in traffic fines as part of its annual budget. The bulk of that figure - $1.3 billion - is expected to come from traffic cameras alone.

• Chinese use fake license plates to avoid speeding tickets
• AAMI road safety data shows inattention, not speeding, is the biggest risk
• Ad-supported in-car services building up speed
• Audi developing production TT Clubsport speedster
• Audi presents open-top TT speedster concept

Comments (0)

Name

Email

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment

Share this Story