Geelong MP wants more speed cameras.

[minux]

MORE speed cameras will be installed on the Princes Freeway between Geelong and Melbourne if a local politician has his way.

Geelong MP Ian Trezise yesterday revealed his bold plan for point-to-point cameras _ which calculate a motorist's speed based on travel time over longer distances.
Under Mr Trezise's plan, the existing cameras, which simply detect speed at their location, would remain.
The Geelong Advertiser at the weekend revealed the State Government last year gained $20 million from the highway cameras, which nabbed 400 motorists a day.
One driver was caught travelling at 207km/h.
Mr Trezise said statistics showed the existing cameras had clearly not stopped all motorists speeding.
He said he often watched drivers during his own travels between Geelong and Melbourne slowing as they passed the cameras before speeding up again.
But he said he believed the cameras should remain, along with new point-to-point devices.
``I'm about minimising the number of deaths on the road, which we have done as a Government during the past eight years,'' Mr Trezise said.
``The point-to-point cameras is the next step.''
Mr Trezise, a member of the Government's Road Safety Committee, denied his plan would simply raise more revenue.
``If you look at the road statistics, in the past five years we've had record low levels of road deaths in Victoria and that's co-incided with stricter speed restrictions and speed cameras such as the ones on the Melbourne Rd,'' Mr Trezise said.
But VicRoads data show fatal accidents have increased on the Geelong-Melbourne road since the cameras were installed in 2006. Eight people have died since the cameras were introduced.
In the four years before the cameras were switched on seven people died on the road.
Mr Trezise said before Geelong-Melbourne Rd was upgraded, eight people used to die each year.
He said the upgrade was the first step towards stopping the carnage, the cameras the second and the point-to-point cameras the third.
Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder, who is also a member of the road safety committee, said he believed the extra cameras were unnecessary and that any extra road safety money should be spent on police patrols.
``We've looked at a number of issues in relation to new and emerging technologies to make the roads safer but certainly point to points haven't been discussed and we wouldn't discuss that unless we had a reference from the Government to do so,'' Mr Mulder said.
``But if we've got additional money to spend on enforcement I'd like that money spent on additional police on the roads.''
Point-to-point cameras already exist on the Hume Freeway from Melbourne to Sydney.
Mr Trezise said he planned to lobby Transport Minister Tim Pallas to install the cameras.
However, Mr Pallas' office said the cameras fell into the Police Minister's portfolio.
A spokesman for Police Minister Bob Cameron last night said the State Government was a long way off considering implementing the new technology at other locations.

Sooo, anyone want to help me dispose of this guy? I am all for speed cameras in high accident zones. However, on the Geelong rd, more deaths have occurred since the cameras have been put in then before they were there.

[Jecs]

those speed cameras have no purpose any more. everyone knows where they are so the slow down then sit cruise on 110km/h. and the amount of undercover VE's i see on the side of the road with the blue and red flashin says the cops are doing a fine job.

[minux]

those speed cameras have no purpose any more. everyone knows where they are so the slow down then sit cruise on 110km/h. and the amount of undercover VE's i see on the side of the road with the blue and red flashin says the cops are doing a fine job.

Agreed, now people just drive into the bike lane so they don't have to slow down. Apparently this works(been listening to a guy bragging like a ******** because he never drives less than 160 on that road).

I set Cruise dead on 100 and go on my merry way. No idea why everyone seems to be in a rush on that road. I do get a laugh at all the caught motorists. Stupid tourists should stay at home instead of invading our beaches

[jules]

i sit dead on 100 on the geelong road. they can put 1 million cameras in, i don't care.

it's pretty obvious what the benefit of putting more cameras on a high traffic volume road like this one is, though.

the amazing thing is, i see some people doing 140 along it.

[azkwazere]

if you dont speed then this can only be a good thing.

The fact that the government reffered to the income rather than the bennfits more, thats a little concerning, but, safety first!

aZk.

[Jecs]

in my little astra, i set cruise at 104. when i go past the digital read out it says im doing 100 flat. after i got my speed-o recalibration on my stato, ray durran (durran speed-o's) said it would be out by 1k set cruise at 100 flat went past the read out and it said 99k's so i think its pretty accurate.

[VNexecutive]

yeah when im sitting on exactly 100 on my speedo, it comes up with 100 on that thingy..

i dont see the need in speeding along that road.. its not a long trip between melb and geelong.... but 400 motorists a day?! wtf!!! thats insane. speed cameras only work if people know theyre there.. people will still speed for the three weeks till they actually get the fine..

on the way home from werribee the other day i saw a guy in a vr/s doing about 160.. got to the bridge and i saw a plume of smoke.. haha he hit the skids pretty hard.

[minux]

if you dont speed then this can only be a good thing.

The fact that the government reffered to the income rather than the bennfits more, thats a little concerning, but, safety first!

aZk.

What annoys me a little is speed cameras were only ever to be used in high accident areas. Where they have the 3 speed cameras i have never seen an accident. It makes no sense. I am all for cameras, however, that road should be 110, Western Hwy is 110 and its a crap hole of a road. This is 3 lanes of beautiful rd with safety barriers the whole way.

[Skitz]

Welcome to the 21st century,
get used to the cameras and don't be alarmed,be alert,but not alarmed.
You will encounter these items on an increasing basis.

[convas]

Where they have the 3 speed cameras i have never seen an accident. It makes no sense.

Makes perfect sense, they are there to fill the governments bank account.

Ever notice they do not put out any statistics linking the location of the cameras and the accident rate for the area.

[calais_304]

Ever notice they do not put out any statistics linking the location of the cameras and the accident rate for the area.

never thought of that...hmmmm conspiricy

100% agree with skitz

[Rufus®]

What annoys me a little is speed cameras were only ever to be used in high accident areas. Where they have the 3 speed cameras i have never seen an accident. It makes no sense. I am all for cameras, however, that road should be 110, Western Hwy is 110 and its a crap hole of a road. This is 3 lanes of beautiful rd with safety barriers the whole way.

Don't be whinging about my crap hole of a road, next thing they'll do is lower the speed limit more, or put friggin speed cameras on it! lol

Geelong Rd is definitely made for 110, between Hoppers and Geelong atleast, maybe we should lobby them to change it once the Geelong bypass (or whatever the road works they are doing) is complete?

[coolvxss]

There is a speed camera around my area that is on a pretty steep hill so its pretty easy to creep over a few kms, I find since they put a speed camera there, that im concentrating more on my speedo then the road. And when you look around so is everyone else.

[Keepleft]

The answer is for you Victorians not to vote for the bloke or its party.

[KingDiamond]

Just don't speed fulla's and you will have nothing to complain about ay.

[commsirac]

There is a speed camera around my area that is on a pretty steep hill so its pretty easy to creep over a few kms, I find since they put a speed camera there, that im concentrating more on my speedo then the road. And when you look around so is everyone else.

Should be more of it......putting cameras on slopes. Its more dangerous to be speeding down hill: there is less friction with the road and gravity is also assisting your motion, increasing the overall stopping distance significantly, even on a 5 degree slope. If you cant tell you are going down hill, then one should hand in their license.

[CSP]

The problem is boredom! 110kph is too slow. And Vic always has the most road deaths because their roads are all so damn straight! I reckon if speed limits on open roads (not in cities etc) were abolished, the road toll would go down!

[minux]

The problem is boredom! 110kph is too slow. And Vic always has the most road deaths because their roads are all so damn straight! I reckon if speed limits on open roads (not in cities etc) were abolished, the road toll would go down!

This road is one of the best in Vic and it has a limit of 100.....it was reduced from 110 when it was the old road that was a death trap. Ther eis no reason why it can't be 110 again. I have no issues with cameras at all, but FFS put them where they are needed in accident zones.

[1991_Vn2nV]

The problem is boredom! 110kph is too slow. And Vic always has the most road deaths because their roads are all so damn straight! I reckon if speed limits on open roads (not in cities etc) were abolished, the road toll would go down!

Exactly...Since they introduced speed limits on the previously unlimited roads in the NT, road fatalities are up by 20%!

50% of fatalaties in the NT are caused through people not wearing seat belts in vehicles that have them fitted... A further 48% involve drink driving. How many are caused through speed? Something like 12%... But which of those factors gets the most attention.... And which one raises the most revenue?

If you want to reduce the road toll...And reduce it dramatically... Incorporate breath tests into vehicle ignition systems and seat belts into the immobiliser. If the seat belt aint buckled, the car aint start. If you blow over .05, the car dont start. Simple.... So whats the problem? Theres no revenue here for the government.

[minux]

Exactly...Since they introduced speed limits on the previously unlimited roads in the NT, road fatalities are up by 20%!

50% of fatalaties in the NT are caused through people not wearing seat belts in vehicles that have them fitted... A further 48% involve drink driving. How many are caused through speed? Something like 12%... But which of those factors gets the most attention.... And which one raises the most revenue?

If you want to reduce the road toll...And reduce it dramatically... Incorporate breath tests into vehicle ignition systems and seat belts into the immobiliser. If the seat belt aint buckled, the car aint start. If you blow over .05, the car dont start. Simple.... So whats the problem? Theres no revenue here for the government.

While interlocks in theory are good, nothing stops people from getting a mate to blow into it to start the car. You can't really enforce a thumbprint etc as what if someone else has to use the car?

[1991_Vn2nV]

While interlocks in theory are good, nothing stops people from getting a mate to blow into it to start the car. You can't really enforce a thumbprint etc as what if someone else has to use the car?

There are ways around everything, but you cant say its not going to have an effect? Some people may get mates to blow in it, but not everyone will have a sober mate there to do it, and not everyone would.

The vast majority of people I see drink driving at the service station are heading home alone, or atleast have no sober friends around.

[convas]

Just don't speed fulla's and you will have nothing to complain about ay.

That's what you think, if their revenue figures go down all they have to do is reduce the speed limits "again"....

[commsirac]

What's with the theory that speed cameras should only go where there has been a previous accident. I dont think there is anything inheritingly dangerous about any of the road between Melbourne and Geelong. Basically if people speed there is a higher chance of crashing.......lapses of judgement, concentration at higher speeds have a higher chance of losing control etc, no one can mount an argument to counter that.

The purpose of stealth cameras is to make people believe that no matter where they speed the chances of being apprehended are high(if the cameras arent marked by large signs, then its appropriate to call them stealth even if they are permanently attached to poles bridges whatever).

As for this one:
That's what you think, if their revenue figures go down all they have to do is reduce the speed limits "again"....
AFAIK, the last time the speed limit was reduced on this road was when Vic had 70mph limits on country roads, 1970 something, perhaps it was 110km/h a few years ago? but my assessment would be that the road is generally very crowded and that there are many exits and entry roads(where a lot of problems can happen due to the large speed differential when trying to merge with a fast moving crowded traffic flow)

Governments would be "over the moon" if all of a sudden speed cameras were failing to take pictures etc. It would have to mean that people have got the message and have slowed down. Im sure the drop in revenue would be a plus for society in terms of increased productivity, (producing new cars and repairing ones that have crashed is a cost to us all.......please no silly ideas that it keeps some people in jobs!), as is the much larger cost of providing medical care and ongoing assistance for all those injured in accidents etc.
If the revenue drops, they can just put up taxes, it has to come from somewhere doesn't it. Perhaps join those tax cheating motorists that find it possible to not exceed the speed limit and stop whingeing.

[minux]

What's with the theory that speed cameras should only go where there has been a previous accident. I dont think there is anything inheritingly dangerous about any of the road between Melbourne and Geelong. Basically if people speed there is a higher chance of crashing.......lapses of judgement, concentration at higher speeds have a higher chance of losing control etc, no one can mount an argument to counter that.

The purpose of stealth cameras is to make people believe that no matter where they speed the chances of being apprehended are high(if the cameras arent marked by large signs, then its appropriate to call them stealth even if they are permanently attached to poles bridges whatever).

As for this one:
That's what you think, if their revenue figures go down all they have to do is reduce the speed limits "again"....
AFAIK, the last time the speed limit was reduced on this road was when Vic had 70mph limits on country roads, 1970 something, perhaps it was 110km/h a few years ago? but my assessment would be that the road is generally very crowded and that there are many exits and entry roads(where a lot of problems can happen due to the large speed differential when trying to merge with a fast moving crowded traffic flow)

Governments would be "over the moon" if all of a sudden speed cameras were failing to take pictures etc. It would have to mean that people have got the message and have slowed down. Im sure the drop in revenue would be a plus for society in terms of increased productivity, (producing new cars and repairing ones that have crashed is a cost to us all.......please no silly ideas that it keeps some people in jobs!), as is the much larger cost of providing medical care and ongoing assistance for all those injured in accidents etc.
If the revenue drops, they can just put up taxes, it has to come from somewhere doesn't it. Perhaps join those tax cheating motorists that find it possible to not exceed the speed limit and stop whingeing.

Mate, the only people that get caught speeding are motorists who do not live in Melbourne or Geelong or rarely use the road. Some 77% of motorists fined on that stretch were caught exceeding the limit by 5 km/h or less.
The issue i have with these cameras is they are not time lapsed, which causes massive danger at every camera. Every **** sucker who is speeding anchors on the brakes, then boots it once through. So the only speeders they are catching are people who are barely breaking the limit and in some cases could only be over due to a faulty speedometer.

The speed limit was reduced on the old road as it was ****. 2 lanes of the worse road in Victoria, i cannot remember in the last 2 years of the old road one month going by where there wasn't a fatality.

Anyways, unless they make these cameras time lapse and cover all exit ramps, they really are not solving anything, people can still do 120-130 and get away with it, that is where the danger lies, not doing 106 on a road that WAS originally meant to have it's limit returned to 110.
For the record, i drive on this road 2-3 times a week, it is more dangerous to be doing 100 than any higher speed. I have almost been run off the road at least a dozen times due to speeding idiots. I have had rubbish thrown at me because i was overtaking a car but was not quick enough according to the driver behind me.

[jet_pilot]

hahaha when i lived in geelong the really bad smashes that happened on that road where ****ed people from norlane or corio coming home from oppys! and im not ****tin thats about the truth one of my mates died wandering on the highway a few years back blind drunk and got cleaned up by 3 car's some of you might remember it
and another bad one was where the dog track is a bloke and kids in the car got t-boned by a drink driver all died sadly