OUR $1M SPEED CAMERA
HOT SPOTS:
GEELONG motorists are clocking up almost $1 million in camera fines every three months.
From July to September 2017, the Government issued almost 3500 fines along roads including Shannon Ave, Thompson Rd, Pioneer Rd and Torquay Rd.
But it was new cameras at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Station St in Corio that caught the highest number of speeding motorists during the quarter, issuing 811 fines totalling $212,450.
The second most lucrative intersection for the Government was the intersection of La Trobe Tce and Fyans St in South Geelong, which earned 493 fines worth $160,551 — a $40,000 decline on the same period in 2016.
Third place went to the intersection of Thompson Rd and Separation St in Bell Park, which earned $147,178 in fines, while the Princes Highway and Sparks Rd intersection had 496 fines totalling $131,582.
On the Princes Freeway from Geelong to Melbourne, speeding motorists were issued $3.4 million in infringement notices, with those at Lara’s Avalon Rd bridge making the state’s top five worst locations for speedsters.
Geelong Highway Patrol Sergeant Peter Radford said open roads around Geelong and the Surf Coast, including the Princes Highway between Waurn Ponds and Winchelsea, were also hot spots for speeding drivers.
“We have these nice country roads so they get about and have a bit of a dip, but people need to be aware that speed increases the likelihood of any collision and the severity of a crash increases too,” he said.
“I know we are all time-poor but it’s no excuse.”
A mobile speed camera on the Great Ocean Rd at Skenes Creek made the state’s top 50 earners, topping the likes of the Domain Tunnel in Melbourne. The coastal camera issued 1522 tickets, or more than a dozen a day, in the July 2017 quarter.
Supt Radford said the popular tourist route was proving to be one of the region’s most dangerous. He said an increased police presence would continue along the stretch to encourage drivers to slow down.
Victoria Police data shows 41 drivers were caught speeding across Geelong and 72 across the Surf Coast during the Easter long weekend.
Sgt Radford labelled the results “horrendous”.
“Our most concerning roads at the moment include Bacchus Marsh Rd between Corio and Balliang, Barwon Heads Rd between Belmont and Connewarre, the Bellarine Highway between Moolap and Wallington, and the Great Ocean Road around Wye River,” he said.
“Roads with dual lanes may also be very inviting, but people need to be mindful that we’ll enforce heavily in those areas.”