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Queensland cracks down on speeding drivers with new high-tech cameras

Courtesy of Viktor Bystrov on Unsplash.

New speed camera technology which will target speeding drivers in school zones and roadwork zones across Queensland will be trialled in a world-first road safety initiative.

High-tech cameras will be rolled out as the Queensland Governments aim to improve road safety, as well as diminish the effects of the ‘Fatal Five’ – speeding, drink/drug driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, fatigue, and driver distractions.

The pilot program uses high-tech cameras small enough to be mounted on solar-powered flashing road and street signs, capable of catching drivers illegally using their mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts.

Cameras will be rotated across 24 prioritised high-risk school zones. Cameras will also be available for road work sites, such as the Bruce Highway, to increase safety around work sites.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said speeding remains to be a major contributor to road accidents and trauma.

“In just over 12 months to February this year, 1,484 drivers were clocked doing more than 20km/h over the speed limit in school zones across Queensland, this is unacceptable,” he said.

Mr Bailey said the cameras will work into Transport and Main Roads’ existing Flashing School Zone Signs program, making it safer for students and their families to walk to and from school.

“Speeding 5km/h above the speed limit in urban areas – or 10km/h above in rural areas – doubles the risk for a driver having a crash resulting in serious or fatal injury,” he said.

“Queensland Road Safety Week, which is held 16-20 August, gives us an opportunity to take stock of the current situation on our roads.  Last year was one of the worst for fatalities, with 277 lives lost and a further 6952 seriously injured.”

“Unfortunately, this year is looking even worse, with 176 (as of 19 August) lives lost. Please slow down, drive to conditions and know the fatal five risky driving behaviours.”

The pilot program will be managed by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads in conjunction with Queensland Police.


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