More cameras to enhance safety in high crash risk areas

A high crash risk area in Auckland will receive a new permanent fixed speed camera in an effort to drive down mean speeds and related deaths and injuries.

East Coast Road in Redvale, in the Waitematā Police District, is among 33 locations across the country where site works are underway for the eventual placement of new digital speed cameras.

The first poles that will hold the speed cameras are being erected from September and over the coming months, starting with East Coast Road, where work is scheduled to begin next week.

Cameras will begin to be mounted on the poles from next year and will be thoroughly tested before becoming operational, says National Manager Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally.

“The placement of the poles and cameras is occurring at those sites across the country that have been identified as having a high crash risk, based on detailed analysis by independent traffic experts, including where there is a history of fatalities and injury crashes.

“The Redvale site will certainly be familiar to many locals and to our road policing staff as the scene of many horrific crashes over the years, and we want to stop that from happening.

We know from international experience that speed cameras do have an impact on slowing people down, particularly around the sphere of influence of the camera.
“This is why we are placing fixed speed cameras at this and other sites to encourage people to reduce their mean speeds, which, when coupled with road safety improvements and other measures, helps to reduce deaths and injuries,” Mr Greally says.

Site works for the 33 sites were announced in May this year, and represent the third phase of the $10m speed camera expansion programme announced in July 2013.

The programme will eventually see up to 56 fixed cameras placed at high risk sites across New Zealand, with 15 of these already in place.

But Mr Greally says Police isn’t interested in camera fines.

“With the expansion programme we’d be delighted to issue zero fines – which costs us money and we don’t get a cent of anyway.

We’re only interested in the impact they can have in encouraging people to slow down and get to their destination safely,” Mr Greally says.
“This will also continue to be backed by other measures, such as maintaining a highly visible Police presence on high risk routes and other enforcement tools.

It’s quite simple, if people drive at an appropriate and safe speed for the road and the conditions, they’ll be in no danger of getting a ticket – or more importantly being involved in a crash.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media