QLD Speed Cameras Faulty !!!!

csv8 · 01-01-2009, 01:52 PM

THOUSANDS of speeding tickets could be under a cloud because of a litany of technical problems with Queensland's new fixed speed cameras.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the three Brisbane cameras regularly short-circuited, suffered water damage or failed to log data correctly in their first months of operation.

The Bligh Government is adamant the correct speeds of leadfoot motorists were recorded but has hidden most of the glitches under a veil of secrecy.

Documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws show police took almost two months to discover the cameras at Kangaroo Point, Burpengary and Tarragindi even failed to comply with national electrical standards.

In January last year, the Burpengary camera on the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane short-circuited after being "immersed in water" from heavy rain.

"Main Roads has advised that electrical work does not comply with Australian electrical standards and QPS staff are not permitted to open the crown pole without an electrician present," a police status report said.

However, the Government has refused access to 55 of the 77 documents found as the information was deemed to be commercial-in-confidence or related to trade secrets, law enforcement or public safety.

With more fixed sites expected to be rolled out this year, Acting Police Minister Robert Schwarten yesterday said none of the problems hidden related to inaccurate speeds being measured.

"The devices are operated and calibrated in accordance with specifications and legislative requirements," he said.

The identity of the contractor that charged $1.3 million for the work was also hidden because the Government was worried about the safety of the company's staff given tickets were an "emotive issue" for some motorists.

Mr Schwarten said taxpayers did not pay to fix the problems but admitted leadfoot motorists may have escaped punishment when the cameras were down.

However, RACQ spokesman Gary Fites said full transparency was required to ensure public confidence. "At least half the motorists out there have a deep and abiding suspicion about the accuracy of cameras and a lack of transparency only fosters that," he said.

About 4000 drivers were being caught speeding at each site every month last year.

Opposition police spokesman Vaughan Johnson said the problems raised questions over tickets issued before the glitches were resolved.

"Speed cameras are very sophisticated and no one can say for sure if they are still 100 per cent right," he said.

The 55 documents censored mainly related to problems with the data loggers, which record files of detected speeds, times and dates of measurements. Mr Schwarten said the logger was "an ancillary device to the speed measuring device" and was "not used in any way for speed measurement".

Why doesn't this suprise me ? Anna always has an answer for the cameras.
The sooner someone has the courage to question why they aren't being used as intended. Instead of revenue raising. I am not against speed cameras. ONLY HOW THEY ARE USED. ie bottom of hills, behind bus shelters etc. Nine people killed on QLD roads this Christmas proves they don't reduce the road toll. Lets get some honesty in government.

axeray · 02-01-2009, 05:45 AM

The cameras are huge revenue raisers for governments these days.

Dave_au · 02-01-2009, 01:02 PM

Out of interest, are the QLD fixed speed cameras signposted like in NSW, or without signposts like Vic?

robjh80 · 02-01-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_au

Out of interest, are the QLD fixed speed cameras signposted like in NSW, or without signposts like Vic?

They are signposted up here in Qld

I go past the one on the Story Bridge every day, I reckon it's more dangerous than anything ... everyone slams on the brakes when they approach the damn thing, Iv'e seen a few near misses in the time it's been there.

Stupid thing is once the traffic gets past it, everyone just goes back to normal as they drive up and over the bridge.

kenz · 02-01-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robjh80

They are signposted up here in Qld

I go past the one on the Story Bridge every day, I reckon it's more dangerous than anything ... everyone slams on the brakes when they approach the damn thing, Iv'e seen a few near misses in the time it's been there.

Stupid thing is once the traffic gets past it, everyone just goes back to normal as they drive up and over the bridge.

Everyone does that through the Burpengary one aswell

TheSneakiness · 02-01-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenz

Everyone does that through the Burpengary one aswell

Yep, I'm one.

Face it, and most QLD members here would agree, that from that particular speed camera to the Caloundra turnoff is the most BORING piece of road there is. Sitting on 100/110 simply bores me and I lose concentration very easily.

GS608 · 02-01-2009, 03:06 PM

i don't think i've ever seen a fixed camera on the gold coast, always the vans sitting on the side of the road, i've noticed that these aren't signposted anymore, some don't even have the police stickers on the side like they used to.

irlewy86 · 02-01-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

Yep, I'm one.

Face it, and most QLD members here would agree, that from that particular speed camera to the Caloundra turnoff is the most BORING piece of road there is. Sitting on 100/110 simply bores me and I lose concentration very easily.

More importantly that section of road is only a black spot because of 10 years of poorly managed road works which has caused more accidents than if the speed limit on that section of road was raised to 150km/h. Not to mention the old Bupengary on and off ramps that were so short you didn't simply merge, you "merged and prayed".

**DJM83** · 02-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

Yep, I'm one.

Face it, and most QLD members here would agree, that from that particular speed camera to the Caloundra turnoff is the most BORING piece of road there is. Sitting on 100/110 simply bores me and I lose concentration very easily.

Yep agreed

**DJM83** · 02-01-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robjh80

They are signposted up here in Qld

I go past the one on the Story Bridge every day, I reckon it's more dangerous than anything ... everyone slams on the brakes when they approach the damn thing, Iv'e seen a few near misses in the time it's been there.

Stupid thing is once the traffic gets past it, everyone just goes back to normal as they drive up and over the bridge.

Not anywhere near the extent that they are in NSW

flappist · 02-01-2009, 05:52 PM

There are only 4 speed cameras

BAxtER · 02-01-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

There are only 4 speed cameras

i thought there were 3..story bridge, burpengary and M1 at tarragindi

**DJM83** · 02-01-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

There are only 4 speed cameras

As opposed to 400 in NSW

:

csv8 · 02-01-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAxtER

i thought there were 3..story bridge, burpengary and M1 at tarragindi

There are more coming this year. PLUS Red Light cameras will also become speed cameras as well !!!
Scenario :you are slowing down for a red light ,but you see a truck coming up behind you ,
A : Do you run the red light and get a speeding fine. as well as a red light fine ?
OR
B : Brake and get hit by the truck ?

I asked Judy Spence this question and I haven't received a reply. !!!

flappist · 02-01-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAxtER

i thought there were 3..story bridge, burpengary and M1 at tarragindi

The other one is in Brendale, it was the first one.

Martyvan · 02-01-2009, 09:45 PM

Im suprised anyone could get caught by any of the fixed speed camera's everyone hits the brakes 150 metres before, and goes past them 20kph under the speed limit.....!

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

The other one is in Brendale, it was the first one.

Is that one actually a speed camera?

My GPS went nuts at me the other day about that one....., there were no lines marked... etc... it didnt appear to be a speed cam set up... But someone (a local) said it was a noise camera, with sensors which picked up loud vehicles?

Ah well, doesnt matter...

BAxtER · 02-01-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csv8

There are more coming this year. PLUS Red Light cameras will also become speed cameras as well !!!
Scenario :you are slowing down for a red light ,but you see a truck coming up behind you ,
A : Do you run the red light and get a speeding fine. as well as a red light fine ?
OR
B : Brake and get hit by the truck ?

I asked Judy Spence this question and I haven't received a reply. !!!

mmm thats a very good scenario to discuss. Ive noticed a fair few red light cameras in the sunnybank area being removed lately!

Whenever im in melbourne visiting relatives i cant get over the fixed speed camera and red light camera they have for the intersection just before entering Tullamarine Airport. Those cameras must make a mint.

**DJM83** · 03-01-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

The other one is in Brendale, it was the first one.

Where abouts is it?

Martyvan · 03-01-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51RTE

Where abouts is it?

Brendale Camera?

Click the link, its about there, somewhere...!

Chris D · 03-01-2009, 03:04 PM

There isn't a speed camera at brendale, it's a weight camera for trucks.

Hunter · 03-01-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris D

There isn't a speed camera at brendale, it's a weight camera for trucks.

Yup, its been there for years.

There WILL be more fixed speed cameras coming soon, they have also mentioned putting in those yellow light speed cameras, which disturb me a little. Guess I better get used to being rammed from behind...