SA needs a speed camera commissioner

Posted 11 December, 2017 Jane Woodhams

RAA is continuing its call for a Safety Camera Commissioner in South Australia, following a new survey that revealed motorists’ growing anger at the camera network.   The Sunday Mail Your Say survey 2017, released yesterday, found traffic problems and speed cameras were of greatest concern to motorists. In the survey, 78% of people said police and the State Government primarily used speed cameras to raise revenue while only 21.3% believed road safety was their main purpose. ‘We’re not surprised by these results, as members have long told us they don’t trust the camera network,’ said Charles Mountain, RAA Senior Manager Road Safety. ‘In fact, an RAA member panel survey found only 30% of respondents thought safety cameras had contributed to a reduction in crashes.’ In the lead-up to the March State Election, RAA is calling for all parties to commit to an independent Safety Camera Commissioner to oversee the placement and operation of all speed and red-light cameras. ‘We have seen the significant progress made in Victoria, where their Safety Camera Commissioner has changed the perception motorists have of cameras as ‘revenue raisers’ by building trust and transparency in the safety camera network,’ said Mr Mountain. ‘When a camera is not effective in improving driving behaviour, the commissioner is able to suggest other measures in its place that can help improve safety and reduce crashes. ‘The operation of the camera network needs to be more transparent to show motorists the influence they have on improving road safety.’