Friday, 2 March 2018 - 8:23pm |
Southern

Southern District welcome new safe speed cameras

2 min read

New safe speed cameras to help improve safety and prevent road trauma:

Five new safe speed cameras will start operating next week in the Southern Police district in an effort to lower speeds and reduce deaths and injuries on our roads.

“Road crashes have devastating impacts on families and communities,” says Inspector Peter McKennie, Operations Manager Road Policing.

Dunedin Southern Motorway in Burnside, King Edward Street in South Dunedin, Otatara Road in New River Ferry, Maclaggan Street in Dunedin Central, and Wansbeck Street in Oamaru are among 33 locations across the country where new digital cameras are being installed. This is part of the third phase of the $10m static camera expansion programme announced in July 2013.

The cameras are in areas that have been identified as having a high crash risk based on detailed analysis by independent traffic experts on fatal and injury crashes in the area.

“We know from international experience that safe speed cameras have an impact on slowing people down, and that’s what we want,” says Inspector McKennie.

“This is why we’re placing safe speed cameras at this and other sites, to encourage people to reduce their speed, which in turn helps reduce deaths and injuries on our roads.”

Inspector McKennie says that while some people believe camera infringements are about revenue collecting, they are not. Police does not retain the money from camera infringements, the money goes into the Crown’s consolidated fund.

“We’re only interested in the impact the cameras have on encouraging people to slow down to safe and appropriate speeds, so they get to their destination safely.”

The expansion programme will continue to be backed by other measures, including a highly visible Police presence on high risk routes.

“All road users have a part to play in keeping our roads safe. We encourage drivers to protect themselves and their families by driving to the conditions and within the speed limit, driving sober and alert, and making sure everyone in the car wears a safety belt.

“Let’s work together and make sure everybody gets where they’re going safely,” Inspector McKennie says.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre