Police have defended a rise in the number of speed camera infringements being issued, saying new mobile cameras are able to identify speeding vehicles more accurately.
RNZ revealed tens of thousands more tickets have been handed out for drivers doing between one and 11km/h over the speed limit.
In January 2021, speed cameras snapped just under 20,000 drivers going just over the limit. In January 2022, that figure was more than 90,000.
Initially, police told RNZ the increase was likely due to camera activation settings being set in closer proximity to the speed limit. Police have now confirmed a replacement programme of its mobile cameras has recently been completed.
They say the newer model performs better in conditions such as rain, fog or at night-time, meaning speed cameras can operate more often.
"Due to the modern functionality, these new cameras are now also able to identify offending vehicles more accurately, which has enabled police to issue infringements in situations where this wasn't possible with the previously used technology," says police.
The January-on-January figures for fines against motorists from mobile and fixed cameras show $600,000 worth of fines were issued in 2021, and $2.7m in fines in January 2022.
Police have been under pressure to increase use of speed cameras after years of undershooting the targets that NZTA funds them to hit. NZTA is taking over the cameras next year.
In the past couple of years, police language has changed around speeding, and police have again reiterated, "the speed limit is the speed limit and you can expect to be stopped for going at any speed over the limit".
Breath testing numbers are also expected to increase as Covid-19 related restrictions eased and in the rolling 12 months to October 31, 2022, 2.2 million tests were completed.
Police say these new measures are about working towards Road to Zero.
"We are working closely with our road safety partners, Waka Kotahi, Ministry of Transport and others to achieve the goal of reducing death and serious injury on the road by 40 percent by 2030.
"If the number of deaths on the roads continues to increase, our enforcement will continue to increase as well."
6 comments
Bollocks
Posted on 13-12-2022 15:12 | By First Responder
Speed cameras are just revenue machines. Whats the point of a ticket in the mail, 4 weeks after a violation, with no explanation where it occurred. Try something different. Double demerts over Xmas, 10 point refund for undertaking a defensive driving course. Currently it's all about money for the Government, when additional driver training could be a substitute for a fine. The Police have it wrong, and the road toll won't drop.
Waste of time in Tauranga!
Posted on 13-12-2022 16:06 | By fair game
Traffic is so congested most of the time, just going at a crawl if you're lucky.
Hmmmm
Posted on 13-12-2022 19:34 | By Yadick
Won't take much to increase enforcement will it. How about some patrols on the Eastern Link, on Takatimu Drive . . . in fact on our roads. Went to Auckland and back and not a single patrol unit anywhere. (Although may have been a mufti that I didn't see).
I LOVE First Responder's idea.
Posted on 14-12-2022 10:59 | By morepork
A credit on demerits for people taking Defensive Driving courses makes absolute sense to me. It's a great idea. As for a camera setting that triggers an offence for ONE KM over the limit, although it may be technically correct, it is morally reprehensible because there has to be a margin of error within different speedometers. Also the camera snapshots a moment in time which gives no context. In the old days you were followed for a quarter mile before a ticket was issued. It is more about revenue generation, now, than it is about safety.
@ First Responder.......
Posted on 14-12-2022 21:54 | By groutby
....right on the money, it is essentially about revenue gathering....with a few carefully placed inexpensive road signs placed along highways or 'flashing' warnings to advise a speed camera 'may' be in the area, that would be enough to make most think twice and check their speed....but...not so, a very covert enforcement seems to be the way the government are instructing Police to undertake....and the other 'by-product' sadly is mistrust of the Police and that 'aint good.........
Lonlely
Posted on 15-12-2022 13:55 | By M@M
How to be lonleydrive at 80ks an hour from Bethlehem to or from town. Just about everyone speeds past. Its a joke. NEver seen a speed check since the road was opened years ago. Do most of commute avoiding the wobbley driving. Policing is a joke
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