Top speed-camera cash cows revealed

Bookings raise almost $1800 a day

THE Tasman Bridge continues to rake in the most speed camera revenue across the state — despite the warning signs of permanent cameras.

The permanent cameras on the east and west ends of the five-lane bridge detected 1541 leadfoots in the 12 months to July 1, Tasmania Police data provided to the Mercury revealed.

During the same period fixed cameras caught 1152 drivers speeding on the Bass Highway at East Devonport, 1035 on the Southern Outlet at Tolmans Hill, 651 on the Brooker Highway at Rosetta and 581 on the Brooker Highway at Cornelian Bay near the Domain Highway exit.

The 10 fixed cameras located across Tasmania detected a total of 6182 speeding motorists last financial year, compared to 11,410 in 2017-18.

Tasmania Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Richard Cowling said the number was down because of “extensive maintenance” works to ensure the equipment was up to scratch.

He said anecdotal evidence also suggested an increased awareness of speed camera locations and subsequent temporary changes in driver behaviour. Of those caught, 5480 were doing less than 15km/h over the limit, 681 were travelling between 15-29km/h over and 21 were clocked exceeding the limit by 30km/h or more.

The speed detection data does not correlate directly with the number of fines issued due to withdrawals, cautions and the outcomes of court proceedings.

But the Justice Department collected $654,286 in speed camera revenue in 2018-19, which equates to $1792 a day.

In 2017-18 they raked in an eye-watering $1.13 million, which is close to $3100 a day.

Police officers using radar guns nabbed a further 41,375 drivers exceeding the limit in 201819 — an increase of 462 detections when compared with the previous year.

Mr Cowling said speed remained the number one factor in fatal and serious injury crashes.

He said excessive speed and inappropriate speed for the conditions contributed to 20 per cent of crashes between July 1 last year and March 31 this year.

“Our aim is to educate motorists to keep within the speed limit,” Mr Cowling said.

“Fixed speed cameras are only one of a number of speed enforcement strategies we use. Others include mobile speed detection devices, high-visibility patrols and unmarked police vehicles and motorcycles.

“Remember we could be anywhere, any time, in any vehicle, so please drive safely.”