Speeding hot spots reap rewards for Queensland State Government

[csv8]

Speeding hot spots reap rewards for Queensland State Government

ROBYN IRONSIDE
The Courier-Mail
November 25, 2013 12:00AM


A BUSY CBD street with a speed limit of 40km/h is the happiest hunting ground for police speed enforcement operations in Queensland, with more than $3000 in fines issued from the site every day.

Data provided by Queensland Police Service shows Alice St in Brisbane city racked up a total of 2648 detections in the five months to September 30 - worth more than half a million dollars.

More than half of the tickets issued in Alice St went to motorists doing no more than 52km/h, or up to 12km/h over the speed limit.

The Captain Cook Highway north of Cairns was the second-most-lucrative site for speed enforcement, generating 2402 fines worth $494,964 in the same five-month period.

Herston Rd at Kelvin Grove came in third, with 2084 fines worth $368,251.

Hinkler Drive at Worongary, on the Gold Coast, generated the fourth-highest-number of speeding tickets - but recorded the largest number of speeds in excess of 21km/h over the limit.

William St in the city was fifth with 1822 detections, followed by Stuartholme Rd at Bardon (1819), Gympie Rd at Kedron (1719) and Old Northern Rd, Everton Park (1678).

Logan Rd at Holland Park (1662) and Boundary Rd, Coopers Plains (1655) rounded out the top 10.

Acting Inspector Steve Embelton, from the Road Policing Command, said police generally did not take into account how many detections were recorded at a particular site, relying on other intelligence to choose speed enforcement locations.

"Crash data, and complaints from the public can help decide what sites police operate from, but we don't keep going back to the same site all the time," Insp Embelton said. My comment "Yes they do in Rockhampton"

"A computer randomly schedules where the deployments are going to occur, although the actual police region can override that based on intelligence and what's happening at the time."

He said it was disappointing to see so many motorists speeding on Alice St in Brisbane city, which was an area of "high pedestrian traffic".

"It is disappointing that people continue to fail to obey the road rules," Insp Embelton said. "The law-abiding citizens don't have anything to fear - it is the ones who continually flout the law and put others at risk.

"If they don't want to abide by those rules, then they should surrender their licence and start walking because that's what will happen to them eventually."

There were 389,095 speeding tickets issued in Queensland in the first six months of the year - worth $78.9 million.

The majority of the fines were issued to motorists doing up to 12km/h over the signed speed limit.

*Figure is higher than number 3 because of the larger number of offences in the higher-speeding categories.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...-1226767308899

[GCRXR6]

More than half in Alice Street over 52klm/h ... WTF!!!
Hinkler Drive ... 21 k over ?? !!!

Captain Cook Highway ... yeah I can relate to that.. Been on that road, 5k over myself and nearly run over by the fools.

Had a truck and P plater round a few cars, and me, up in Rocky today in the 70k zone on Northside, like we were all parked.

I know we've had the old forum crying about the 1k over promo, but these people driving like they are Mr Lowdnes are morons.

I have NO sympathy for their loss of finances or contribution to consolodated revenue.

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by GCRXR6

More than half in Alice Street over 52klm/h ... WTF!!!
Hinkler Drive ... 21 k over ?? !!!
..........I have NO sympathy for their loss of finances or contribution to consolodated revenue.

The section of Hinkler Drive to which they refer is a service road alongside the Freeway. The section where drivers are booked is a very steep incline with a 50kph limit for reasons best known to the department of revenue. It is not an accident black spot and runs down to an area of cleared land with no encroaching driveways.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by csv8

Logan Rd at Holland Park (1662) and Boundary Rd, Coopers Plains (1655) rounded out the top 10.[/B]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...-1226767308899

I wonder how many were caught with the new camera? I sent in the form requesting my day in court, and I get letter about two weeks later saying it had been dropped, and no further action would be taken.

[Luke Plaizier]

The generation of revenue is proof that Speed Cameras do not work - if the primary goal of Speed Cameras is to slow down drivers and save lives.

For Speed Cameras to be truly effective - ie they slow drivers down - then by any logical conclusion they MUST operate at a loss.


Lukeyson

[KAM120]

[quote] The Captain Cook Highway north of Cairns was the second-most-lucrative site for speed enforcement. [quote]

Not really a suprise there with the constant speed changes every 2 kays

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

The generation of revenue is proof that Speed Cameras do not work - if the primary goal of Speed Cameras is to slow down drivers and save lives.

For Speed Cameras to be truly effective - ie they slow drivers down - then by any logical conclusion they MUST operate at a loss.


Lukeyson

This ^^^ times 11ty billion. Its clear no one has learnt in the 6 month period this camera was installed otherwise it would slow drivers down. It hasn't. If someone was to die there from someone over the speed limit, how will the government answer?

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by blueoval

This ^^^ times 11ty billion. Its clear no one has learnt in the 6 month period this camera was installed otherwise it would slow drivers down. It hasn't. If someone was to die there from someone over the speed limit, how will the government answer?

So whats the answer?

If that many people are getting pinged and no one is learning from it, what is the solution.
There is clearly an issue.
12k's over in a 40 zone is 30% over the limit in an area of high pedestrian traffic.

Its easy to scream revenue raising and the associated propaganda, yet no one offers a considered alternative which can be applied instantly to all drivers and provide better results.

In the words of the late Chopper read...'I'm all ears'

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

So whats the answer?

If that many people are getting pinged and no one is learning from it, what is the solution.
There is clearly an issue.
12k's over in a 40 zone is 30% over the limit in an area of high pedestrian traffic.

Its easy to scream revenue raising and the associated propaganda, yet no one offers a considered alternative which can be applied instantly to all drivers and provide better results.

In the words of the late Chopper read...'I'm all ears'

I know where you are heading with this. Hence the reason I asked the question. You would think 6 months would be ample amount of time to 'get the message through' to slow down, wouldn't you? I'm not privy to all of the facts here, I do not know what this street is set up like, how its signed, or what road conditions are like, but according to the article, govco have been benefiting financially to the tune of 3k a day with what seems to be no reduction in that number. How come?

What is the answer from those who have the ideas? Or is it, no one has the answer that govco are happy with so we'll just sit back and opportunistically cash in on your human imperfection until there is a fail proof solution? Not trying to be sarcastic, I, like you would like a clear cut answer to why govco hasn't pursued the message to slow down other than to financially benefit?

These people were grossly over the limit. I do not condone their actions and they were financially penalized accordingly. But have they learnt? Are people continuing to learn or happy to pay thru the nose?

I don't have the answer, other than some form of mandatory educational process to attend once a fine is issued. I know that will have its own lot of questions and issues too. But I do not have a solution either, hence the reason I ask if there is a better way, please tell us.

[CheftonUTD]

[QUOTE=KAM120;4946783][quote] The Captain Cook Highway north of Cairns was the second-most-lucrative site for speed enforcement.

Not really a suprise there with the constant speed changes every 2 kays

Yeah exactly that, been caught twice in the last few years where it changes from 80/100 or 100/80kph. Seems a bit like money-grabbing catching all the people gently coasting up/down to the next sign post.
That said, I do see at least a few people everyday sitting at about 10-40ish over the limit along there...

[jpd80]

You know the funniest thing, most of the drivers nabbed probably use those same routes every day.
Even when a speed camera is clearly marked, some people just shoot past completely oblivious...

What I find disturbing is the Logan motorway roadworks, been going on for months and months
but no sign of fixed speed cameras and just about every motorist speeds through them without a care.
God help anyone trying to obey the 80 kph limit, the abuse and aggressive swooping past really makes you wonder
just what the heck people are thinking, even when you're in the left lane and there's no one in the right..

It's not speeding that's the problem, it's the bloody minded arrogance of people who see speed limits as optional
and just expect everyone else to do the same. Bullies in semis that sit on your bumper and then speed through roadworks..

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I know where you are heading with this. Hence the reason I asked the question. You would think 6 months would be ample amount of time to 'get the message through' to slow down, wouldn't you? I'm not privy to all of the facts here, I do not know what this street is set up like, how its signed, or what road conditions are like, but according to the article, govco have been benefiting financially to the tune of 3k a day with what seems to be no reduction in that number. How come?

What is the answer from those who have the ideas? Or is it, no one has the answer that govco are happy with so we'll just sit back and opportunistically cash in on your human imperfection until there is a fail proof solution? Not trying to be sarcastic, I, like you would like a clear cut answer to why govco hasn't pursued the message to slow down other than to financially benefit?

These people were grossly over the limit. I do not condone their actions and they were financially penalized accordingly. But have they learnt? Are people continuing to learn or happy to pay thru the nose?

I don't have the answer, other than some form of mandatory educational process to attend once a fine is issued. I know that will have its own lot of questions and issues too. But I do not have a solution either, hence the reason I ask if there is a better way, please tell us.

I have made my feelings on the matter quite transparent over the journey and one of the reasons why I advocate the use of cameras is that I believe there is little alternative which can be applied to the masses that will have a better result.
Truth is you'll never stop speeders, some people are either too ignorant or lack the skills to learn from their mistakes. But you have to try.

As I have always said, driving attitude in this country is disgusting.
It is not something which can be corrected overnight.
It is regarded as a right, not a privilege.
People ignore the most basic of road etiquette.
Use of indicators, keeping left, tailgating....the list is endless and the frequency is growing by the day.

All I can offer is this, driving a motor vehicle is the single most dangerous task most people undertake in daily life, yet the education and testing of the skill is negligible.
I believe driver education and attitude should be taught from yr6 in primary school.
It should be a mandatory part of a child's education until graduation wether they pursue driving or not.
An hour a week discussing things that kids see parents/others do and a discussion on the possible alternative outcomes.
So it becomes part of the psyche, to conduct ones self in a manner which is safe and courteous to other motorists.
I believe driving instruction needs to be examined and cleaned up, there are many cowboys in the industry who teach students to pass a test, not drive for their futures.

Until we get to the root of the problem and change driver attitude, happy snaps and fines will be the way.

[blueoval]

All I can offer is this, driving a motor vehicle is the single most dangerous task most people undertake in daily life, yet the education and testing of the skill is negligible.
I believe driver education and attitude should be taught from yr6 in primary school.
It should be a mandatory part of a child's education until graduation wether they pursue driving or not.
An hour a week discussing things that kids see parents/others do and a discussion on the possible alternative outcomes.
So it becomes part of the psyche, to conduct ones self in a manner which is safe and courteous to other motorists.
I believe driving instruction needs to be examined and cleaned up, there are many cowboys in the industry who teach students to pass a test, not drive for their futures.

I wholeheartedly concur. I have wanted to see driver education used for many years. I wish we had this implemented in this country from day one instead of the alternative.

I just think now, govco have been on a pretty good gravy train for a number of years all in the name of 'saving lives' and do financially benefit from our current 'poor' attitudes as you say rather than changing the attitudes of the next generation to come. The thing is, the attitude of the government needs to change too (by implementing this education program) if they truly value lives, instead of placing a dollar sign on it.

I just hope people (current drivers) realize what they are doing before its too late.

[stevethepom]

There's no such thing as a road safety camera they are all revenue raising machines the same as those sneaky b*stards that sit in cars on the side of the road waiting to ping someone also I dont think those blokes in the camera cars are human !
my reasoning for that ?? well I had one sitting around 50 mtrs up the road from me the other day and as i was reversing out of my carport i saw a flash from the camera car so I pulled up and went and asked him if his machine was calibrated properly , he replied that it was and i would be getting the expiation notice in the post ! I asked him what speed i was pinged at and he told me it was around the 60kph mark in a 50 zone .... yeah right i said so i managed to achieve 60kph from a standing start in reverse in a 25yr old mitsubishi 2.5ltr diesel from under my carport he told me thats what the machine says so you must have done but it is your right to dispute the fine in court ! just a case of waiting for the paperwork to come through now .

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by blueoval

I wholeheartedly concur. I have wanted to see driver education used for many years. I wish we had this implemented in this country from day one instead of the alternative.

I just think now, govco have been on a pretty good gravy train for a number of years all in the name of 'saving lives' and do financially benefit from our current 'poor' attitudes as you say rather than changing the attitudes of the next generation to come. The thing is, the attitude of the government needs to change too (by implementing this education program) if they truly value lives, instead of placing a dollar sign on it.

I just hope people (current drivers) realize what they are doing before its too late.

Well then the key is to hold the governing body accountable.

If road safety really is the major concern that Governments wish to focus on then there should be open debate involving representatives from many motoring avenues.
The key issues should be identified and acted on.

I doubt this will ever happen though, unfortunately.

Personally I would like to think that as a parent, I will provide my children with the necessary skills and attitude to stay as safe as possible.
I continually draw their attention to other drivers ignorance and explain the situation.
I show them accident footage when it arises and discuss with them how simple decisions can change/end lives.

Im reasonably confident that my kids will be competent drivers with good attitude, what scares me is them getting into someone else's car.
That I cant control, neither can they.
Either way, im not leaving it up to Government policy or complete strangers with accreditation to educate my children, im the parent, that's my gig.

When ever you put multiple moving objects on a narrow plane you will get collisions.
The road toll will never be zero.
All you can do is get along, be as competent as you can and aware/courteous of others.

Anyhow, this is going OT so well leave it there.