Speeds trending higher in crisis

THE Gold Coast has become a speeding hot spot and has surprisingly worsened during the coronavirus crisis.

The region recorded six of the 10 highest differential speeds across Queensland in the 12 months to June 2019, according to new police figures.

The worst was a motorist busted driving 111km/h above the legal limit on NerangMurwillumbah Rd, Advancetown – the highest recorded differential speed in the state.

Another motorist was seen driving 174km/h along Smith St Motorway, more than double the legal limit.

One hoon was caught 90km/h above the limit along Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd; the other three highspeed offences occurred on the Pacific Motorway at Pimpama and Mudgeeraba.

The figures also revealed the Nerang-Broadbeach Rd mobile speed camera was the tenth busiest in the state, issuing 2360 fines last financial year.

That equates to more than six fines every day.

One motorist was caught travelling in excess of 40km/ h an hour, which carries a $1245 fine, eight points and a six-month licence suspension.

The fines were from the mobile speed camera program, which is speed cameras from vehicle-based cameras and portable devices.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said despite a 30 per cent reduction of vehicles on Queensland roads there had been a sharp rise in the rate of speeding.

“It is very concerning how often our officers and speed camera systems are detecting exceptionally high speed,” he said.

Gold Coast Police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler slammed the figures, in particular the motorist who held the highest differential speed in Queensland.

“It’s deeply concerning,” he said. “It’s well over twice the legal speed limit in that area, and that speed on any road is incredibly dangerous and you have to wonder what the driver was thinking.”

Supt Wheeler said there was an economic penalty but also a risk to life.

“If you put it in the context of our current environment, job losses due to COVID-19 I don’t know too many people who have spare money they can throw away because they’ve been speeding,” he said. “But most importantly it’s the danger to public and their own safety that’s of greatest concern.”