TAC supports speed camera program

31 Aug 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 31 August, 2011

Following today's release of the Victorian Auditor General Office's (VAGO) report on the state’s speed camera program, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is reminding the community of the important role speed cameras play in road safety.

The TAC welcomes the findings from today's report and believes it clearly highlights the fact that speed cameras do save lives.

Despite speed cameras not always being popular, today's report reiterates the fairness of our speed camera system and dispels any myths that the program is about anything other than road safety.

TAC CEO Janet Dore said, "Every road death is preventable, and it is up to you to reduce your risks. Every five kilometres over the speed limit does matter, and reducing your speed will help keep you and your loved ones safe on the roads."

The risk of involvement in a casualty crash doubles with each 5km/h increase in free travelling speed above 60km/h, and speed is the biggest killer on our roads. Last year about 130 people were killed in collisions involving speed.

To help further dispel the myths around the role of speed cameras, the TAC re-launched its 'Pictures of You' campaign this week which features real Victorian families who have lost loved ones in collisions where speed was a factor.

First aired in 2008, "Pictures of You" tells the stories of the families who are still battling their grief, in some cases 40 years' on.

For five weeks the campaign will air across the state as we tackle our greatest challenge – to change Victorian attitudes to speed and make it socially unacceptable to drive above the limit.

There are still far too many people out there who think its OK to speed, when evidence and research shows it clearly is not acceptable.

Speed kills – it can destroy families, relationships, and marriages, so why take the risk?

"The easiest way to avoid copping a fine from a speed camera is to slow down."

"It's easy," said Ms Dore.

For more information, contact the TAC’s Emily Bogue on 0429 416 778.