Speed offences slowing down

14 Feb 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 14th February 2011

Victorian motorists are getting the message and slowing down, according to the latest mobile speed camera data.

Analysis of the latest data by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) indicates that for every hour of mobile speed camera operation, the number of motorists caught speeding has dropped from 10.12 (in 2006) to 6.35 (in 2010) despite a significant increase in hours of operation.

Figures show that:

• In 2006 there were 75,686 hours of mobile speed camera operation resulting in 10.12 offences detected per hour.
• In 2007, there were 70,902 hours of mobile speed camera operation resulting in 9.73 offences detected per hour.
• In 2008 there were 70,089 hours of mobile speed camera operation resulting in 8.52 offences detected per hour.
• In 2009 there were 87, 951 hours of mobile speed camera operation resulting in 7.23 offences detected per hour. 
• In 2010 there were 106, 810 hours of mobile speed camera operation resulting in 6.35 offences detected per hour.

Only one of every 66 vehicles travelling past a mobile speed camera is caught speeding.

In addition, the proportion of vehicles caught travelling more than 10 km/h over the speed limit is at an all time low of less than 0.7%.

TAC Head of Community Relations, Phil Reed said the latest figures prove that motorists are slowing down and that, while there is still work to be done, speeding is becoming socially unacceptable.

"It's pleasing to see that the large majority of Victorian motorists are getting the message that speed kills," Mr Reed said.

"Last year's record low road toll proved that lives are being saved because most people are slowing down."

"The reduction in road trauma is testament to the fact that cameras save lives."

The Cameras Cut Crashes website indicates that mobile camera hours increased 50 per cent in 2001 and they have increased in the past five years.

Last week the State Government announced that all mobile speed camera locations would be made publicly available in print media and online.

"Now more than ever there is absolutely no excuse to be caught speeding," Mr Reed said.

"You know where the cameras are, you know how much the fine will be, so why take the risk?

"If you don't speed, you have nothing to fear from speed cameras."

There are more cars on the road than ever before with more than 4 million vehicles registered.

Despite the drop in speeding offences, TAC data shows that speed was a factor in about 30 per cent of all road fatalities last year.

"Changing people's attitude towards speeding represents one of our greatest challenges this year, and the sooner every single motorist accepts that speeding is dangerous, the better and safer our roads will be."

Next week the TAC will be showing its Ripple Effect campaign featuring Norm Robinson, who lost his son Luke in a collision last year.

For more information, contact the TAC's Sarah Henderson on 0429 294 262.