An electronic eye on speeding motorists

Speeding motorists may be in for a surprise next month when Temuka’s new fixed speed camera goes live.

Police confirmed on Friday the camera would ‘‘be available to be put into enforcement mode by the beginning of February’’.

It was confirmed the site construction to support the new camera had been completed on November 17, after it was announced in May that Temuka would get the camera under a $10 million plan to boost safety in high-risk areas across the country.

The camera would be installed in an 80kmh zone, near the corner of State Highway 1 and Huirapa St, on the eastern side of the road.

New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) road safety spokesman Dylan Thomsen said it had taken a lot longer than initially planned to roll out the nationwide speed camera programme.

The 33 camera sites nationally were confirmed in May, part of the third phase of a static camera expansion programme announced in July 2013.

‘‘It was originally intended to be finished a lot earlier than this,’’ Thomsen said.

‘‘From our point of view these cameras need to be put in highrisk locations, tested, and working properly before they go live,’’ he said.

‘‘If we have cameras installed in high-risk locations where we have a history of crashes or a problem with speeding, then they can benefit the public by making these areas safer.’’

‘‘If we can reduce crashes then that is [to] the public benefit.’’

Thomsen said the AA would like to see signage warning motorists of speed camera areas.

‘‘We want motorists to check their speed in these high-risk locations as that’s the best thing for safety.’’

He said the South Canterbury AA council of 10 volunteers had supported the camera being located at Temuka.