http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/duncan-gay-got-it-wrong/
ROADS Minister Duncan Gay is under fire for deactivating a Frenchs Forest speed camera near the site of a horrific crash on August 21.
Investigations are continuing into the crash in which six people were taken to hospital.
They included a two-year-old boy, who remains in Sydney Children’s Hospital in a serious but stable condition after he sustained suspected head injuries.
On Friday, Labor MP Helen Westwood used her question without notice privilege to ask if Mr Gay had got it wrong in light of the crash, close to the now deactivated camera.
The Warringah Rd speed camera was shut down at the start of the month after it was identified as failing to provide “significant road safety benefits” by a government audit.
Premier Barry O’Farrell’s audit of 141 fixed cameras deemed 38 as ineffective.
Mr Gay stuck by the crash analysis, which he said had proved the camera was ineffective and would not be restored.
“The Auditor General found that this speed camera had no proven road safety benefit and for that reason it was switched off - I have asked the RTA to investigate alternative methods to improve road safety,” he told the House.
“I have asked (them) to look at this particular section of road to determine how to reduce accidents at the site.
“It is obvious from those records that the speed camera had not effect at this site.
“A speed camera is not being put back there.”
He said 19 injuries were recorded in the three years before the cameras installation, compared to 27 in the three years afterwards.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Want low premiums? Let insurers 'drive' with you
Want low premiums? Let insurers 'drive' with you
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2011-08-18-car-insurance-drivers-tracking_n.htm
How would you like your insurance company to monitor your driving every moment you're behind the wheel? It's already happening. Insurers are offering potential discounts to people who voluntarily install a device that tracks how their car is driven and streams the data back to the company. By matching a "good driver" profile, participants can reduce their insurance premiums by 10%-50%.
Progressive Insurance
'Snapshot': Progressive requires drivers to keep a monitoring device plugged into their cars for no more than six months.
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Progressive Insurance
'Snapshot': Progressive requires drivers to keep a monitoring device plugged into their cars for no more than six months.
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ANOTHER VIEW: Steer clear of cars that spy
The plan brings two words to mind, but neither of them is "great deal." Intrusive is one. Inevitable is the other.
Intrusive because many Americans still think of their cars as one of the last places they can go that's truly private. Sure, there are red-light cameras, speed cameras, police and other drivers who can see you when you're on the road. But for the most part, you're just another anonymous driver. The new technology can keep you (or whoever driving your car) under continuous surveillance, measuring the way you make left turns, drive at night, stomp on the brakes, or step on the gas — all factors that can affect the odds for accidents.
Traditionally, insurers set rates by fitting drivers into broad categories — age, gender, residence, history of accidents or tickets and so on. But learning how an individual actually drives lets companies fine-tune a driver's risk profile and charge accordingly, the same way financial companies use a detailed credit score to set loan rates.
How much companies want to know varies. Progressive offers a "Snapshot" program that requires drivers to keep a monitoring device plugged into their cars for no more than six months. The device measures how much you drive, when you drive (accidents peak between midnight and 4 a.m.) and how much and how heavily you hit the brakes.
By contrast, State Farm's more intrusive "Drive Safe and Save with In-Drive" program requires that the device stay in your car as long as you want the discount. It measures the same things Progressive does, but adds left and right turns, quick acceleration and speed (over 80 mph is a no-no). It also has an option that tracks your vehicle, but says it doesn't base discounts on where you drive.
USA TODAY OPINION
About Editorials/Debate
Opinions expressed in USA TODAY's editorials are decided by its Editorial Board, a demographically and ideologically diverse group that is separate from USA TODAY's news staff.
Most editorials are accompanied by an opposing view — a unique USA TODAY feature that allows readers to reach conclusions based on both sides of an argument rather than just the Editorial Board's point of view.
No doubt, drivers who volunteer to be monitored tend to be better drivers, and drivers tend to drive more carefully when someone's watching. Monitoring will save lives.
That's great and, as long as monitoring is voluntary, it's no problem.
But there are reasons to believe things will evolve in a more troubling way. Most drivers probably don't know it, but millions of cars are already being "monitored" by manufacturer-installed "event data recorders" that function somewhat the way black boxes in airliners do. They typically record the last seconds before an accident, but they don't transmit data outside the car, and they're read only after an accident. What insurance companies want to do is more invasive, but financially seductive enough that it might be inevitable.
"It will be a 'choice,' but it will not be a choice," says Brian Sullivan, editor of Risk Information, which publishes newsletters for the insurance industry. Sullivan likens the monitoring devices to the club cards that give shoppers big discounts at grocery stores and drugstores in exchange for letting stores and marketers know exactly what products shoppers buy. Eventually, the cost of refusing to take the deal becomes so great that shoppers pay a significant penalty for retaining their privacy. So if you have a store's club card, the same logic might eventually persuade you to let the insurance company ride along as well.
Or insurers could demand installation of the devices.
Such fears aren't reason to prohibit the devices now. What happens later is another matter.
USA Auto Insurance Consumers See Expanded Usage-Based Options
http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=273740&type=newswires
Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) August 20, 2011
Modern technology is taking the guesswork out of calculating auto insurance discounts for safe driving and low mileage, according to OnlineAutoInsurance.com.
The trend could be welcome news for consumers who want to find out how much car insurance will cost if they’re willing to install a high-tech gizmo that monitors their driving habits.
At least 13 coverage providers now offer “usage-based” or “pay-as-you-drive” programs that can provide discounts if policyholders verify that they drive fewer miles, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). And insurers are increasingly offering voluntary programs that use telematics devices to track driver behavior in addition to how many miles are logged.
“Policyholders who tend to drive at less risky times of the day and whose driving habits reflect an awareness of road safety receive a lower rate,” the institute reports in an issue update on its website.
As III points out, coverage providers have long used policyholders’ reported mileage and driving records to help set policy rates. But telematics are taking estimates out of the equation and delivering data straight from driver to insurer.
State Farm earlier this month introduced its new In-Drive service, which uses a device inserted into a vehicle’s diagnostic plug to monitor speed, acceleration, braking and other data. The service also lets policyholders plug into the company’s Drive Safe & Save plan, which rewards motorists for logging low mileage.
Drive Safe & Save is State Farm’s answer to usage-based programs such as Progressive’s Snapshot and Allstate’s Drive Wise.
Until now, only those State Farm customers whose vehicles were outfitted with OnStar could electronically submit their odometer readings to Drive Safe & Save. Otherwise, mileage had to be reported to State Farm before each six-month policy renewal.
In-Drive, which the company says will allow policyholders to save 20 percent or more on premiums, will do all the reporting for those motorists.
III officials say the direct link between policyholders and insurers could also help improve driver safety, in addition to saving policyholders money.
Services such as In-Drive and Snapshot provide “more immediate feedback to the individual driver about the riskiness of his or her behavior and therefore may be more successful in changing bad habits,” the institute reports.
The driver habits that providers are monitoring can have ramifications that go far beyond the cost of auto coverage, safety experts say.
Late-night driving, for example, often results in motorists fighting fatigue, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says causes thousands of auto crashes annually.
NHTSA reported in 1996 that there were about 56,000 crashes each year in which driver drowsiness or fatigue was cited by police. That led to roughly 1,550 deaths and 40,000 nonfatal injuries.
Source: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/drowsy_driving1/drowsy.html
To read more about this and other insurance issues, go to http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/quotes/how-much-car-insurance-costs.htm where you will find informative resource pages and a free-to-use quote-comparison generator that consumers can use to get sample premiums for many vehicle makes and models.
###
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/auto-insurance/usage-discounts/prweb8733704.htm
Brake, the road safety charity, has announced a new partnership with GreenRoad Technologies
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2011/8/23/brake-announces-partnership-with-greenroad/40409/&ct=ga&cad=CAcQAxgAIAAoATABOAFA7JTR8gRIAVgBYgVlbi1VUw&cd=6RXmq3I4Fgo&usg=AFQjCNGU1tO-sIb0BdV4fiGlpJWnrwNFKg
Brake, the road safety charity, has announced a new partnership with GreenRoad Technologies to deliver a workshop for fleet managers on the key fleet safety .
Friday, August 19, 2011
Free workshops for supervisors of learner drivers
http://www.cowraguardian.com.au/news/local/news/general/free-workshops-for-supervisors-of-learner-drivers/2262564.aspx?src=rss
Free workshops for supervisors of learner drivers
A free workshop for parents and supervisors of learner drivers will be held by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) at the Cowra Services Club on Monday September 5 from 5.30 – 7.30pm.
The two hour course, Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers, will offer parents and supervisors hands-on advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.
“Parents and supervisors of novice drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer, and that is why the RTA has developed a course to better support them.”
The course will cover topics such as:
* new laws for leaner and P-plate drivers
* how to use the ‘ Learner driver log book’
* how to plan on-road driving lessons
* See the full story on page 3 of today's Cowra Guardian, Wednesday August 17, 2011.
Free workshops for supervisors of learner drivers
A free workshop for parents and supervisors of learner drivers will be held by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) at the Cowra Services Club on Monday September 5 from 5.30 – 7.30pm.
The two hour course, Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers, will offer parents and supervisors hands-on advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.
“Parents and supervisors of novice drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer, and that is why the RTA has developed a course to better support them.”
The course will cover topics such as:
* new laws for leaner and P-plate drivers
* how to use the ‘ Learner driver log book’
* how to plan on-road driving lessons
* See the full story on page 3 of today's Cowra Guardian, Wednesday August 17, 2011.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Vic gov traffic camera fines for 2010-11 , available camerassavelives,vic.gov.au
details of traffic camera fines for 2010-11 will be on the Department of Justice's website, camerassavelives,vic.gov.au
Victorian Government's speed camera cash cows
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/coffers-boosted-475-every-minute/story-fn7x8me2-1226116990407
Victorian Government's speed camera cash cows
Keith Moor From: Herald Sun August 18, 2011 12:00AM
Victorian Government's speed camera cash cows
Keith Moor From: Herald Sun August 18, 2011 12:00AM
MORE than 1.3 million motorists paid almost $250 million in speed and red light camera fines in the past year.
That boosted State Government coffers by $475 for every minute of 2010-11.
Figures obtained by the Herald Sun reveal most motorists were fined for doing less than 10km/h over the limit.
By far the biggest revenue raisers of all 435 traffic cameras in Victoria were the four speed cameras mounted on the Melbourne-bound side of Forsyth Rd bridge on the Princes Freeway at Hop-pers Crossing.
They collected $4.14 million from 24,410 motorists.
The second biggest earners were the cameras mounted across three lanes of the Frankston Freeway off-ramp at the intersection of Dandenong-Frankston Rd.
They snapped 16,425 motorists, who paid $3.19 million in fines.
MORE than 1.3 million motorists paid almost $250 million in speed and red light camera fines in the past year.
That boosted State Government coffers by $475 for every minute of 2010-11.
Figures obtained by the Herald Sun reveal most motorists were fined for doing less than 10km/h over the limit.
By far the biggest revenue raisers of all 435 traffic cameras in Victoria were the four speed cameras mounted on the Melbourne-bound side of Forsyth Rd bridge on the Princes Freeway at Hop-pers Crossing.
They collected $4.14 million from 24,410 motorists.
The second biggest earners were the cameras mounted across three lanes of the Frankston Freeway off-ramp at the intersection of Dandenong-Frankston Rd.
They snapped 16,425 motorists, who paid $3.19 million in fines.
Full details of traffic camera fines for 2010-11 will be on the Department of Justice's website, camerassavelives,vic.gov.au
Victorian Government's speed camera cash cows
Keith Moor From: Herald Sun August 18, 2011 12:00AM
Victorian Government's speed camera cash cows
Keith Moor From: Herald Sun August 18, 2011 12:00AM
MORE than 1.3 million motorists paid almost $250 million in speed and red light camera fines in the past year.
That boosted State Government coffers by $475 for every minute of 2010-11.
Figures obtained by the Herald Sun reveal most motorists were fined for doing less than 10km/h over the limit.
By far the biggest revenue raisers of all 435 traffic cameras in Victoria were the four speed cameras mounted on the Melbourne-bound side of Forsyth Rd bridge on the Princes Freeway at Hop-pers Crossing.
They collected $4.14 million from 24,410 motorists.
The second biggest earners were the cameras mounted across three lanes of the Frankston Freeway off-ramp at the intersection of Dandenong-Frankston Rd.
They snapped 16,425 motorists, who paid $3.19 million in fines.
MORE than 1.3 million motorists paid almost $250 million in speed and red light camera fines in the past year.
That boosted State Government coffers by $475 for every minute of 2010-11.
Figures obtained by the Herald Sun reveal most motorists were fined for doing less than 10km/h over the limit.
By far the biggest revenue raisers of all 435 traffic cameras in Victoria were the four speed cameras mounted on the Melbourne-bound side of Forsyth Rd bridge on the Princes Freeway at Hop-pers Crossing.
They collected $4.14 million from 24,410 motorists.
The second biggest earners were the cameras mounted across three lanes of the Frankston Freeway off-ramp at the intersection of Dandenong-Frankston Rd.
They snapped 16,425 motorists, who paid $3.19 million in fines.
Full details of traffic camera fines for 2010-11 will be on the Department of Justice's website, camerassavelives,vic.gov.au
TAS Facebook speed camera alerts
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/08/18/254071_tasmania-news.html
Facebook speed camera alerts
TASMANIAN motorists have started using social media to alert other drivers to the location of speed cameras.
A new Facebook page, Tassie Spotted Speed Cameras, encourages drivers to post the known positions of speed cameras and the colour and make of any unmarked police cars.
Already almost 1500 Tasmanians have flagged that they "like" the site -- and Tasmania Police has no objection to this early-warning system.
However, drivers who flash their lights to warn of speed cameras still risk a fine -- not for the warning but for using headlights in a manner likely to dazzle another driver.
Yesterday, drivers posted warnings to slow down when travelling through Mornington, on Hobart's Eastern Shore, and at Don, on the North-West Coast. Others reported that the "coast was clear" on the Bass Highway between Deloraine and Launceston.
Over the years, other media such as commercial radio has been used to give motorists a heads-up on where they might get nabbed.
The RACT, which has long campaigned for Tasmania Police to make its crackdown on speeding motorists more visible, welcomed the new Facebook page, which was set up in July.
RACT public policy manager Vince Taskunas said social media could play a part in making Tasmanian roads safer.
"If motorists slow down in the face of information that speed cameras are about, that is a good thing," Mr Taskunas said.
However, he urged people not to tap into social media sites while driving.
Tasmanian motorists are already being given more warning by police that speed cameras are being used than they have in the past.
Under road safety camera operating criteria adopted last year, Tasmania Police pledged to deploy "Speed Camera in Operation" signs on the approach to and departure from 50 per cent of its camera deployments.
Tasmania Police also pledged to use cameras to target higher speed zones.
Under the new rules, 50 per cent of all cameras should now be set up in speed limit zones of 90km/h or more.
Speed camera notices have already dropped off considerably, from 62,316 in 2009-10 to 35,194 to the end of May 2011.
The only fixed speed camera in Tasmania is located on Hobart's Tasman Bridge.
QLD Thousands caught by 'hidden' speed camera
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/thousands-caught-by-hidden-speed-camera-20110811-1iobg.html
Thousands caught by 'hidden' speed camera
Daniel Hurst
August 11, 2011
Comments 31
About 6000 lead-footed motorists have been caught by the state’s newest speed camera during its first week of operation, sparking calls for better signage.
Today, motoring group RACQ urged the Queensland Government to install more warning signs on the M1 at Loganholme after claiming the cameras were effectively “hidden”.
Figures released overnight by the Queensland Police Service showed 5922 motorists had been detected exceeding the 100km/h speed limit since the cameras were switched on last Tuesday.
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Police said 433,462 vehicles passed the M1 Loganholme site in that time.
State Traffic Support Branch Acting Superintendent Craig Hanlon said the number of motorists caught speeding was disappointing.
“We informed motorists that new digital speed cameras were installed from midday last Tuesday and still some people haven’t got the message” he said in a statement.
“Prior to enforcement, statistics on one particular day detected 3500 motorists speeding at this location. After the permanent warning sign was installed, that figure reduced to about 1800.
“After the first week of enforcement, we still have an average of about 850 people a day exceeding the speed limit and one motorist was detected at 160km/h.”
However, RACQ executive manager traffic and safety John Wikman said the new cameras were not clearly visible to oncoming traffic.
“We are concerned that warning signs are inadequate compared to other 100km/h fixed speed camera sites,” he said in a statement.
“RACQ’s preference is for the cameras to be visible and well signed. At the Loganholme site there is only one warning sign - Speed Camera Ahead - on each side of the carriageway positioned 1.2km in advance of the cameras.
“If the aim of these cameras is to slow traffic in particularly dangerous areas, rather than revenue raising, the more warning motorists have, the better.”
Mr Wikman said the RACQ wanted to see similar signage to the Tarragindi fixed camera site on the Pacific Motorway, which was also a 100km/h zone.
“At that site there are two sets of warning signs on both sides of the carriageway – a Speed Camera Ahead sign at one kilometre and Speed Camera 24 Hrs positioned 500 metres before the camera,” he said.
“We also recommend that a fluorescent backing board be attached to the existing Speed Camera Ahead signs to make them more obvious.”
Police refused to comment on the criticism of the signage.
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/thousands-caught-by-hidden-speed-camera-20110811-1iobg.html#ixzz1VKzdlA1Q
usa baltimore speed cameras should be replaced by vehicle-activated signs
http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/howard/opinion-talk/letter-editor/ph-ll-letters-speed-cameras-20110817,0,376486.story
Speed cameras should be replaced by vehicle-activated signs
August 17, 2011 | 1:27 p.m.
I fully agree with Nate Hammond's letter of July 28 that speed cameras introduce a new safety concern, and I have an actual example. I was caught by a speed camera in Bowie in July 2010, going 37 miles per hour past the high school annex. I had a 90-year-old male passenger, with a bad heart and in respiratory distress.
It was the third day in a string of 100-degree-plus weather and the man developed shortness of breath while at Belair Mansion. I was attempting to reunite him as quickly as possible with his oxygen tank, which he had left at home. I remember checking the map for the quickest way home and not noting any schools along the route. I guess the map did not note the annex because it was not a school.
I went to court to fight the ticket given the circumstances. The judge appeared sympathetic. When I expressed my surprise at being ticketed for speeding in a school zone in July, the judge asked the policeman for an explanation and he replied that the law allowed for ticketing year round. The judge reduced my fine by $10. The whole affair smacked of a revenue-generating ploy to me.
For those who argue that ambulances should be used for medical emergencies, I would think twice with all the budget cuts to county fire stations and emergency services. The ambulance may take longer to arrive than driving 25 miles per hour the whole way to the hospital. And what about women in labor? Should we expect husbands to drive slowly by a school or schools on the way to the hospital, especially at 7 p.m.?
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
UK The Co-operative rewards safe young drivers with cash back
http://www.easier.com/93716-co-operative-rewards-safe-young-drivers-cash-back.html
The Co-operative rewards safe young drivers with cash back
16th August 2011Print Email Share
Nearly 90% of motorists with The Co-operative's Young Driver insurance will see over £100 returned to their bank accounts this month, after proving themselves as safe drivers.
The cash-back is a reward to motorists who have kept to speed limits, avoided excessive harsh braking and acceleration and taken corners carefully since the Young Driver scheme was launched in March.
The insurance product uses ‘Smartbox' telematics technology to monitor how a car is driven and ‘scores' behaviours every 90 days. If motorists make the top scores in all four categories (speeding, cornering, braking and acceleration, time of day of driving), they are given a partial refund on their initial premium.
David Neave, Director of General Insurance at The Co-operative, said: "Insurance has been rising at a disproportionate rate for young drivers, but telematics offers a genuine solution to stop this trend and prevent a generation of young people being driven off the roads.
"We believe that other insurers need to now play their part in finding similar solutions so that as an industry we can offer fairer prices to all young drivers in the UK.
"More than that, we can see that our ‘carrot' rather than ‘stick' approach of rewarding motorists for driving responsibly is leading to better driving behaviours. Our scheme is only in its infancy, but if it was taken up on a larger scale it could be a major step forward in improving the safety on Britain's roads."
Which? also believes that telematics car insurance policies have great potential to enable young drivers to get on the road and under their own insurance. Dan Moore, Senior Researcher at Which?, said: "Car insurance is very expensive and systems such as the Co-operative Young Driver scheme should help ensure that a new generation of drivers will have access to more affordable cover, and be rewarded for safe driving."
As well as rewarding safe drivers, motorists who drive consistently badly, for example repeatedly breaking speed limits or taking corners too sharply, will see penalties applied to their premiums up to 20% of their initial policy price. The Co-operative Insurance will also cancel a customer's insurance policy if they drive at a speed which would result in a driving ban.
Julie Townsend, Campaigns Director at road safety charity Brake, said: "A huge proportion of deaths and serious injuries on our roads involve young drivers, and many of the victims are young people themselves - road crashes are the biggest killer of this age group. Persuading young drivers to make safer choices is vital in preventing more lives being needlessly cut short. We applaud this scheme for rewarding young drivers who stay within the law and drive responsibly, such as by slowing down to give themselves more time to react to hazards.
"This is an innovative and practical way to help young people protect themselves and others. We hope it will help to pave the way to a safer driving culture among young people, and fewer devastating deaths and injuries on our roads. "
The data collected from a sample of 1,300 young drivers shows that nearly four in five (78%) consistently drive within speed limits. It also shows that 40% of males and 41% of females achieved the top score in all categories.
Young drivers are eligible for a maximum annual discount of 11% of the initial premium paid. Based on the driving behaviours shown in the first 90 days, the average discount being rewarded is 8.5% of the initial cost.
The average premium paid by customers with Young Driver insurance is £1,727 before discounts are applied, compared to the average premium of £2,294.
The Co-operative rewards safe young drivers with cash back
16th August 2011Print Email Share
Nearly 90% of motorists with The Co-operative's Young Driver insurance will see over £100 returned to their bank accounts this month, after proving themselves as safe drivers.
The cash-back is a reward to motorists who have kept to speed limits, avoided excessive harsh braking and acceleration and taken corners carefully since the Young Driver scheme was launched in March.
The insurance product uses ‘Smartbox' telematics technology to monitor how a car is driven and ‘scores' behaviours every 90 days. If motorists make the top scores in all four categories (speeding, cornering, braking and acceleration, time of day of driving), they are given a partial refund on their initial premium.
David Neave, Director of General Insurance at The Co-operative, said: "Insurance has been rising at a disproportionate rate for young drivers, but telematics offers a genuine solution to stop this trend and prevent a generation of young people being driven off the roads.
"We believe that other insurers need to now play their part in finding similar solutions so that as an industry we can offer fairer prices to all young drivers in the UK.
"More than that, we can see that our ‘carrot' rather than ‘stick' approach of rewarding motorists for driving responsibly is leading to better driving behaviours. Our scheme is only in its infancy, but if it was taken up on a larger scale it could be a major step forward in improving the safety on Britain's roads."
Which? also believes that telematics car insurance policies have great potential to enable young drivers to get on the road and under their own insurance. Dan Moore, Senior Researcher at Which?, said: "Car insurance is very expensive and systems such as the Co-operative Young Driver scheme should help ensure that a new generation of drivers will have access to more affordable cover, and be rewarded for safe driving."
As well as rewarding safe drivers, motorists who drive consistently badly, for example repeatedly breaking speed limits or taking corners too sharply, will see penalties applied to their premiums up to 20% of their initial policy price. The Co-operative Insurance will also cancel a customer's insurance policy if they drive at a speed which would result in a driving ban.
Julie Townsend, Campaigns Director at road safety charity Brake, said: "A huge proportion of deaths and serious injuries on our roads involve young drivers, and many of the victims are young people themselves - road crashes are the biggest killer of this age group. Persuading young drivers to make safer choices is vital in preventing more lives being needlessly cut short. We applaud this scheme for rewarding young drivers who stay within the law and drive responsibly, such as by slowing down to give themselves more time to react to hazards.
"This is an innovative and practical way to help young people protect themselves and others. We hope it will help to pave the way to a safer driving culture among young people, and fewer devastating deaths and injuries on our roads. "
The data collected from a sample of 1,300 young drivers shows that nearly four in five (78%) consistently drive within speed limits. It also shows that 40% of males and 41% of females achieved the top score in all categories.
Young drivers are eligible for a maximum annual discount of 11% of the initial premium paid. Based on the driving behaviours shown in the first 90 days, the average discount being rewarded is 8.5% of the initial cost.
The average premium paid by customers with Young Driver insurance is £1,727 before discounts are applied, compared to the average premium of £2,294.
UK Car insurance hope for young drivers with Coop & Young Marmalade
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/aug/13/car-insurance-premium-young-drivers
Car insurance hope for young drivers
Young Marmalade cuts car insurance premiums by 17% - with a 'black box' to check that young people deserve it
Young Marmalade, which specialises in car insurance for younger drivers, has cut premiums by 17% during the four months to the end of July, bucking the trend of soaring premiums.
AA Insurance said premiums for drivers between 17 and 22 have risen, on average, by 80% over the past two years, while the latest Confused.com/Towers Watson car insurance index, which tracks more than 4m quotes, shows the average 17- to 20-year-old male now paying £4,006 a year for comprehensive cover, compared with an average premium cost of £858.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, says: "Most young people can't get their heads round why their first car insurance premium should be 10 times greater than what they might pay for an old banger. But it's got everything to do with the potential damage their irresponsible use can inflict. Entirely preventable car crash injury claims of £5m or more are becoming increasingly common."
Young Marmalade uses telematics or "black box" satellite technology, which it calls Intelligent Marmalade. It monitors driving behaviour such as braking and acceleration, speed and at what time of day the car is driven. The data is used to calculate premiums; the better the car is driven, the lower the premium and vice-versa.
Nigel Lacy of Young Marmalade, said a young man using Intelligent Marmalade will pay on average £2,601 for comprehensive cover, while a young woman will pay £1,642 a year. After the black box has been fitted, initial premiums are subject to £250 and £500 increases should the technology indicate the insured is a bad driver. If that continues, Young Marmalade will cancel the policy.
Lacy added: "Young drivers are notoriously the sector that suffers the most in insurance costs. This is part of our ongoing commitment to get more young people driving – and driving safely. Intelligent Marmalade has had a very positive impact on safety; drivers are far more vigilant and careful with the 'black box' on board."
In 2006 Norwich Union, now Aviva, launched two policies using black box technology but they were withdrawn within two years because of low take-up. This was partly because the technology was very expensive at the time and partly because insurance for younger people cost less then.
Co-operative Insurance claims its Young Driver policy results in premiums that are, on average, £328 below competitors' quotes, and 82% of 17- to 25-year-olds could save money. Policyholders have their driving assessed every 90 days and are given a discount worth up to 11% of the premium if they drive sensibly.
Car insurance hope for young drivers
Young Marmalade cuts car insurance premiums by 17% - with a 'black box' to check that young people deserve it
Young Marmalade, which specialises in car insurance for younger drivers, has cut premiums by 17% during the four months to the end of July, bucking the trend of soaring premiums.
AA Insurance said premiums for drivers between 17 and 22 have risen, on average, by 80% over the past two years, while the latest Confused.com/Towers Watson car insurance index, which tracks more than 4m quotes, shows the average 17- to 20-year-old male now paying £4,006 a year for comprehensive cover, compared with an average premium cost of £858.
Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, says: "Most young people can't get their heads round why their first car insurance premium should be 10 times greater than what they might pay for an old banger. But it's got everything to do with the potential damage their irresponsible use can inflict. Entirely preventable car crash injury claims of £5m or more are becoming increasingly common."
Young Marmalade uses telematics or "black box" satellite technology, which it calls Intelligent Marmalade. It monitors driving behaviour such as braking and acceleration, speed and at what time of day the car is driven. The data is used to calculate premiums; the better the car is driven, the lower the premium and vice-versa.
Nigel Lacy of Young Marmalade, said a young man using Intelligent Marmalade will pay on average £2,601 for comprehensive cover, while a young woman will pay £1,642 a year. After the black box has been fitted, initial premiums are subject to £250 and £500 increases should the technology indicate the insured is a bad driver. If that continues, Young Marmalade will cancel the policy.
Lacy added: "Young drivers are notoriously the sector that suffers the most in insurance costs. This is part of our ongoing commitment to get more young people driving – and driving safely. Intelligent Marmalade has had a very positive impact on safety; drivers are far more vigilant and careful with the 'black box' on board."
In 2006 Norwich Union, now Aviva, launched two policies using black box technology but they were withdrawn within two years because of low take-up. This was partly because the technology was very expensive at the time and partly because insurance for younger people cost less then.
Co-operative Insurance claims its Young Driver policy results in premiums that are, on average, £328 below competitors' quotes, and 82% of 17- to 25-year-olds could save money. Policyholders have their driving assessed every 90 days and are given a discount worth up to 11% of the premium if they drive sensibly.
USA- State Farm project-ignition-grants-available to promote safe teen driving
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/15/3839048/project-ignition-grants-available.html
Project Ignition Grants Available for Students to Address Teen Driver Safety and Save Lives on the Road
Share
By National Youth Leadership Council
Published: Monday, Aug. 15, 2011 - 8:13 am
ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 15, 2011 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Youth Leadership Council® and State Farm® are pleased to announce the availability of $2,000 Project Ignition grants for public high schools to support their students in addressing teen driver safety through service-learning.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101206/MM12212LOGO)
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110208/DC44293LOGO)
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. That's a staggering statistic that young people, in partnership with their teachers and communities, are working to change through Project Ignition.
"There is no group better equipped to influence teen driving behavior than teens themselves," said Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO. "The National Youth Leadership Council is proud to partner with State Farm to continue to provide this opportunity for students to use their own ideas and voices to make a tremendous impact on this issue."
For the past eight years, Project Ignition students and their advisors have been meeting classroom objectives while creating impactful awareness and engagement campaigns. They host events, form community-wide partnerships, work on local and state policy, produce public service announcements and more while achieving academic credit.
Public high schools in the United States and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick are invited to apply for the 2011-2012 grants.
Twenty-five schools will be chosen to receive $2,000 grants to implement their campaigns from January to April of this school year.
Ten of these schools will be selected to receive an additional $5,000 to support their participation in a significant national conference or event.
These ten schools will also be given the opportunity to receive an additional $2,500 to go deeper with their campaigns during the following school year.
Visit www.sfprojectignition.com for the application and tools to create a high-quality proposal. For more information, contact Melissa Mitchell, Project Ignition National Program Coordinator at mmitchell@nylc.org or 1-888-856-7026. Applications are due November 15, 2011.
For more information about NYLC and service-learning go to www.nylc.org. For more information about State Farm go to statefarm.com® or, in Canada, statefarm.ca®.
About NYLC
NYLC has been at the center of service-learning programs and policy development since 1983. The organization convenes the annual National Service-Learning Conference®, offers adult and youth trainings, runs model programs, directs service-learning research, and develops service-learning resources. Its mission is to create a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world with young people, their schools, and their communities through service-learning.
www.sfprojectignition.com
SOURCE National Youth Leadership Council
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/15/3839048/project-ignition-grants-available.html#ixzz1VFPFgQ3q
Project Ignition Grants Available for Students to Address Teen Driver Safety and Save Lives on the Road
Share
By National Youth Leadership Council
Published: Monday, Aug. 15, 2011 - 8:13 am
ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 15, 2011 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Youth Leadership Council® and State Farm® are pleased to announce the availability of $2,000 Project Ignition grants for public high schools to support their students in addressing teen driver safety through service-learning.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101206/MM12212LOGO)
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110208/DC44293LOGO)
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. That's a staggering statistic that young people, in partnership with their teachers and communities, are working to change through Project Ignition.
"There is no group better equipped to influence teen driving behavior than teens themselves," said Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO. "The National Youth Leadership Council is proud to partner with State Farm to continue to provide this opportunity for students to use their own ideas and voices to make a tremendous impact on this issue."
For the past eight years, Project Ignition students and their advisors have been meeting classroom objectives while creating impactful awareness and engagement campaigns. They host events, form community-wide partnerships, work on local and state policy, produce public service announcements and more while achieving academic credit.
Public high schools in the United States and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick are invited to apply for the 2011-2012 grants.
Twenty-five schools will be chosen to receive $2,000 grants to implement their campaigns from January to April of this school year.
Ten of these schools will be selected to receive an additional $5,000 to support their participation in a significant national conference or event.
These ten schools will also be given the opportunity to receive an additional $2,500 to go deeper with their campaigns during the following school year.
Visit www.sfprojectignition.com for the application and tools to create a high-quality proposal. For more information, contact Melissa Mitchell, Project Ignition National Program Coordinator at mmitchell@nylc.org or 1-888-856-7026. Applications are due November 15, 2011.
For more information about NYLC and service-learning go to www.nylc.org. For more information about State Farm go to statefarm.com® or, in Canada, statefarm.ca®.
About NYLC
NYLC has been at the center of service-learning programs and policy development since 1983. The organization convenes the annual National Service-Learning Conference®, offers adult and youth trainings, runs model programs, directs service-learning research, and develops service-learning resources. Its mission is to create a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world with young people, their schools, and their communities through service-learning.
www.sfprojectignition.com
SOURCE National Youth Leadership Council
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/15/3839048/project-ignition-grants-available.html#ixzz1VFPFgQ3q
Vic: Melbourne Councils Pushing For 30km/h Limit
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/52301/vic-melbourne-councils-pushing-for-30kmh-limit
The City of Melbourne and the neighbouring Yarra Council are expected to vote next month on cutting CBD and residential speed limits to 30km/h.
Both councils are consulting with road safety groups and the wider community. The argument is that lower speeds can potentially significantly reduce road accidents.
Share
Get the best price on a new car
The City of Melbourne and the neighbouring Yarra Council are expected to vote next month on cutting CBD and residential speed limits to 30km/h.
Both councils are consulting with road safety groups and the wider community. The argument is that lower speeds can potentially significantly reduce road accidents.
Speaking with News Ltd this week, Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the plan had been driven by the city's high number of road accidents - the highest in the state.
"The difference in time of travelling between 40km/h and 30km/h through the city would be minuscule, but the big differential is the ability to react and brake if there is a problem," Mr Doyle told the Herald Sun.
Mr Doyle conceded that pedestrians ignoring lights at intersections are a major contributing factor to accidents in the CBD.
The proposal has garnered support from road and pedestrian safety groups, along with Monash University's Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
Research at MUARC has shown that reducing speed limits from 50km/h to 30km/h could reduce the risk of road fatalities by as much as 90 percent.
"Reducing travelling speeds is the most effective and cost-effective measure we can take," MUARC's Dr Bruce Corben told the Herald Sun.
This latest push for reduced speed limits is not the first time changes have been proposed, with a Green's plan last year outlining a 30km/h limit in Melbourne's inner suburbs.
RACV public policy manager Brian Negus said last year that the organisation supported 40km/h limits, but that any plan to cut the limit by 10km/h would struggle to gain traction with motorists.
"Our concern would be that anything slower than 40 would lack credibility with the public," he said. "Already we see the adherence to 40km/h is a bit patchy."
The City of Melbourne and the neighbouring Yarra Council are expected to vote next month on cutting CBD and residential speed limits to 30km/h.
Both councils are consulting with road safety groups and the wider community. The argument is that lower speeds can potentially significantly reduce road accidents.
Share
Get the best price on a new car
The City of Melbourne and the neighbouring Yarra Council are expected to vote next month on cutting CBD and residential speed limits to 30km/h.
Both councils are consulting with road safety groups and the wider community. The argument is that lower speeds can potentially significantly reduce road accidents.
Speaking with News Ltd this week, Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the plan had been driven by the city's high number of road accidents - the highest in the state.
"The difference in time of travelling between 40km/h and 30km/h through the city would be minuscule, but the big differential is the ability to react and brake if there is a problem," Mr Doyle told the Herald Sun.
Mr Doyle conceded that pedestrians ignoring lights at intersections are a major contributing factor to accidents in the CBD.
The proposal has garnered support from road and pedestrian safety groups, along with Monash University's Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
Research at MUARC has shown that reducing speed limits from 50km/h to 30km/h could reduce the risk of road fatalities by as much as 90 percent.
"Reducing travelling speeds is the most effective and cost-effective measure we can take," MUARC's Dr Bruce Corben told the Herald Sun.
This latest push for reduced speed limits is not the first time changes have been proposed, with a Green's plan last year outlining a 30km/h limit in Melbourne's inner suburbs.
RACV public policy manager Brian Negus said last year that the organisation supported 40km/h limits, but that any plan to cut the limit by 10km/h would struggle to gain traction with motorists.
"Our concern would be that anything slower than 40 would lack credibility with the public," he said. "Already we see the adherence to 40km/h is a bit patchy."
NT Opposition Pledge to can road speed limits draws fire
http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/Pledge-road-speed-limits-abc-1717380081.html?x=0
Anna Henderson, On Tuesday 16 August 2011, 18:29 EST
A Sydney researcher says the Northern Territory Opposition is wrong to claim the introduction of a speed limit has not improved road safety.
The Country Liberals say they would reintroduce open speed limits within 100 days of winning next year's Territory election.
Their transport spokesman Adam Giles says the road toll has not improved in the years since a 130km/h speed cap was imposed in 2007.
Associate Professor Rebecca Ivers from Sydney University says returning to an open speed limit would be a backwards step.
"It is a real shame that it has been brought up as an election promise," she said.
"It would be infinitely preferable to see the Opposition work on a bipartisan approach to road safety because it is a huge problem in the Northern Territory." She says it is internationally recognised that speed kills.
"Open speed limits have been removed from every jurisdiction world-wide because it is recognised that speed is a major contributor to car crashes, deaths and injuries," she said.
Anna Henderson, On Tuesday 16 August 2011, 18:29 EST
A Sydney researcher says the Northern Territory Opposition is wrong to claim the introduction of a speed limit has not improved road safety.
The Country Liberals say they would reintroduce open speed limits within 100 days of winning next year's Territory election.
Their transport spokesman Adam Giles says the road toll has not improved in the years since a 130km/h speed cap was imposed in 2007.
Associate Professor Rebecca Ivers from Sydney University says returning to an open speed limit would be a backwards step.
"It is a real shame that it has been brought up as an election promise," she said.
"It would be infinitely preferable to see the Opposition work on a bipartisan approach to road safety because it is a huge problem in the Northern Territory." She says it is internationally recognised that speed kills.
"Open speed limits have been removed from every jurisdiction world-wide because it is recognised that speed is a major contributor to car crashes, deaths and injuries," she said.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
visualizing.org/datasets/road-transport-activity
http://www.visualizing.org/datasets/road-transport-activity
Thousands will lose drivers' licences...affected by delayed disqualifications.
Thousands will lose drivers' licences
Police Reporter Amy Noonan
From: The Advertiser
August 13, 2011
Read more: http://www.news.com.auhttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/thousands-will-lose-drivers-licences/story-e6frea6u-1226114051181#ixzz1Uxln6bdx
http://www.news.com.au/thousands-will-lose-drivers-licences/story-e6frea6u-1226114051181
A LAWYER will petition Road Safety Minister Tom Kenyon for drivers affected by delayed disqualifications.
Michael Woods & Co solicitor Damon Ind said the firm had been inundated by affected drivers only now receiving disqualification notices.
Thousands of people who applied to the Magistrates Court from July 2009 for fine payment extensions or part payments did not have their information and demerit points passed on to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. The disqualification and warning letters were not processed and sent out until this week, with more expected in coming weeks.
About 8000 people will lose their licences and about 20,000 will receive warning letters about demerit points.
Mr Ind said the delay had huge consequences for some drivers who would lose licences.
"If it had been done in a timely way ... they would have served their disqualification periods and got on with their lives," Mr Ind said. "It's tragic, because for some people the ability to drive is their livelihood.
"There's been significant changes in lots of people's lives - the young person who is now an apprentice, people having children, people who might have moved to rural areas, people whose health may have changed."
Read more: http://www.news.com.auhttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/thousands-will-lose-drivers-licences/story-e6frea6u-1226114051181#ixzz1Uxliuppc
Police Reporter Amy Noonan
From: The Advertiser
August 13, 2011
Read more: http://www.news.com.auhttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/thousands-will-lose-drivers-licences/story-e6frea6u-1226114051181#ixzz1Uxln6bdx
http://www.news.com.au/thousands-will-lose-drivers-licences/story-e6frea6u-1226114051181
A LAWYER will petition Road Safety Minister Tom Kenyon for drivers affected by delayed disqualifications.
Michael Woods & Co solicitor Damon Ind said the firm had been inundated by affected drivers only now receiving disqualification notices.
Thousands of people who applied to the Magistrates Court from July 2009 for fine payment extensions or part payments did not have their information and demerit points passed on to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. The disqualification and warning letters were not processed and sent out until this week, with more expected in coming weeks.
About 8000 people will lose their licences and about 20,000 will receive warning letters about demerit points.
Mr Ind said the delay had huge consequences for some drivers who would lose licences.
"If it had been done in a timely way ... they would have served their disqualification periods and got on with their lives," Mr Ind said. "It's tragic, because for some people the ability to drive is their livelihood.
"There's been significant changes in lots of people's lives - the young person who is now an apprentice, people having children, people who might have moved to rural areas, people whose health may have changed."
Read more: http://www.news.com.auhttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/thousands-will-lose-drivers-licences/story-e6frea6u-1226114051181#ixzz1Uxliuppc
Friday, August 12, 2011
Cameras here up to speed (sunshine coast)
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/08/05/cameras-here-up-to-speed-after-check-review/
Cameras here up to speed
Roxanne Mccarty-O’Kane | 5th August 2011
CONFIDENCE remains strong in Queensland’s fixed speed camera network despite the New South Wales Government shutting down more than a quarter of its devices last week.
A complete review of Queensland’s fixed speed cameras, which have been used since December 2007, was undertaken in 2010 by the Economic Development Committee as a Parliamentary Inquiry.
The review found the state’s fixed speed cameras were effective and the committee acknowledged the system was just one part of the overall speed management effort.
NSW’s Roads and Traffic Authority was ordered to shut down 38 of its 141 cameras last week following a report by Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat, which found while the overall impact of speed cameras had been positive, some had little safety benefit.
Queensland Police Minister Neil Roberts said the selection of sites for fixed speed cameras, including new cameras on the Bruce Highway near Beerburrum and the Caloundra Road turnoff, was based on criteria including crash history data, traffic flow, risk profile and police intelligence.
Statistics obtained from Queensland Police media show the fixed speed camera at Burpengary, touted as the second most successful in the state, had recorded an 86% drop in the number of drivers caught speeding in just four years.
“The evidence is clear, fixed speed cameras are encouraging Queensland motorists to drive at or below the speed limit,” Mr Roberts said.
RACQ Traffic and Safety Department executive manager John Wikman said the organisation supported the use of fixed speed cameras where mobile vans or hand-held LIDAR guns, were unsuitable.
“We welcome the additional sites which went online on Tuesday. We understand there is a fairly substantial crash history associated with the 13km stretch between the two cameras on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Wikman said.
Cameras here up to speed
Roxanne Mccarty-O’Kane | 5th August 2011
CONFIDENCE remains strong in Queensland’s fixed speed camera network despite the New South Wales Government shutting down more than a quarter of its devices last week.
A complete review of Queensland’s fixed speed cameras, which have been used since December 2007, was undertaken in 2010 by the Economic Development Committee as a Parliamentary Inquiry.
The review found the state’s fixed speed cameras were effective and the committee acknowledged the system was just one part of the overall speed management effort.
NSW’s Roads and Traffic Authority was ordered to shut down 38 of its 141 cameras last week following a report by Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat, which found while the overall impact of speed cameras had been positive, some had little safety benefit.
Queensland Police Minister Neil Roberts said the selection of sites for fixed speed cameras, including new cameras on the Bruce Highway near Beerburrum and the Caloundra Road turnoff, was based on criteria including crash history data, traffic flow, risk profile and police intelligence.
Statistics obtained from Queensland Police media show the fixed speed camera at Burpengary, touted as the second most successful in the state, had recorded an 86% drop in the number of drivers caught speeding in just four years.
“The evidence is clear, fixed speed cameras are encouraging Queensland motorists to drive at or below the speed limit,” Mr Roberts said.
RACQ Traffic and Safety Department executive manager John Wikman said the organisation supported the use of fixed speed cameras where mobile vans or hand-held LIDAR guns, were unsuitable.
“We welcome the additional sites which went online on Tuesday. We understand there is a fairly substantial crash history associated with the 13km stretch between the two cameras on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Wikman said.
Young driver blitz criticised
http://www.news.com.au/young-driver-blitz-criticised/story-fn6bqphm-1226112008394?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+newscomausandm+%28NEWS.com.au+|+South+Australia%29
Transport Reporter Michael Milnes
From: The Advertiser
August 10, 2011 12:30AM
THE Youth Affairs Council of South Australia has criticised a police road safety campaign.
The council objects to the drive because the campaign targets young people.
The SA Police month-long blitz saw 606 of the state's most inexperienced drivers, aged between 16 and 24, reported for bad driving.
Youth Affairs Council executive director Anne Bainbridge said it was almost as if SA Police believed no one over 24 had ever driven drunk or sped while driving.
"In fact, the most recent fatality crash statistics from police show that so far this year, six people between the ages of 16 to 24 have been killed in vehicle crashes," she said.
Supt Linda Fellows said SA Police made no apology for focusing attention on young drivers over the past four weeks.
Related Coverage
Road blitz highlights bad habits of young
Adelaide Now, 3 days ago
Police blitz to target state's east
Herald Sun, 31 Jul 2011
Seventeen arrested over drunken violence
Herald Sun, 15 May 2011
Driving age lifting push lashed
Adelaide Now, 12 May 2011
Watch for road blitz over Easter
Courier Mail, 20 Apr 2011
And if Operation Young Drivers saved one life or prevented one person from being seriously injured then it had succeeded.
Read more: http://www.news.com.auhttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/young-driver-blitz-criticised/story-fn6bqphm-1226112008394#ixzz1Ulm3CjTL
Transport Reporter Michael Milnes
From: The Advertiser
August 10, 2011 12:30AM
THE Youth Affairs Council of South Australia has criticised a police road safety campaign.
The council objects to the drive because the campaign targets young people.
The SA Police month-long blitz saw 606 of the state's most inexperienced drivers, aged between 16 and 24, reported for bad driving.
Youth Affairs Council executive director Anne Bainbridge said it was almost as if SA Police believed no one over 24 had ever driven drunk or sped while driving.
"In fact, the most recent fatality crash statistics from police show that so far this year, six people between the ages of 16 to 24 have been killed in vehicle crashes," she said.
Supt Linda Fellows said SA Police made no apology for focusing attention on young drivers over the past four weeks.
Related Coverage
Road blitz highlights bad habits of young
Adelaide Now, 3 days ago
Police blitz to target state's east
Herald Sun, 31 Jul 2011
Seventeen arrested over drunken violence
Herald Sun, 15 May 2011
Driving age lifting push lashed
Adelaide Now, 12 May 2011
Watch for road blitz over Easter
Courier Mail, 20 Apr 2011
And if Operation Young Drivers saved one life or prevented one person from being seriously injured then it had succeeded.
Read more: http://www.news.com.auhttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/young-driver-blitz-criticised/story-fn6bqphm-1226112008394#ixzz1Ulm3CjTL
Speed cameras are one of road safety's success stories
Speed cameras are one of road safety's success stories
Professor Mark Stevenson is director of the Monash University Accident Research Centre
August 11, 2011
OPINION
http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/speed-cameras-are-one-of-road-safetys-success-stories-20110810-1imnm.html
Managing or containing travel speeds is the most fundamental tenet of road safety, and one of the most effective ways of managing the burgeoning incidence of road injury. There is no debate among scientists, bureaucrats or the public - the kinetic energy transferred in a motor vehicle crash results in the trauma that doctors see when victims arrive at hospitals.
We know that the greater the speed at impact, the greater the kinetic energy and, hence, the severity of injury. Clearly, anything that reduces the kinetic energy reduces the level of trauma. We know from research in Scandinavia that even a 10 per cent reduction in speed across the road network equates to a 30-40 per cent reduction in fatalities.
The management of speed is the success story of road injury prevention, and much of this success can be attributed to the widespread rollout of overt cameras, such as red-light cameras, and covert, such as mobile speed cameras.
Advertisement: Story continues below
In combination, both overt and covert cameras act as a deterrent, discouraging offenders from reoffending and deterring all road users irrespective of whether they have previously offended.
I use the term ''speed cameras" but the more appropriate term might be "safety cameras".
The evidence of the effectiveness of overt speed cameras is overwhelming, with recent evaluations of red-light and fixed speed cameras in Victoria highlighting a 47 per cent reduction in casualty crashes and an associated cost saving to the community of more than $8 million a year. The evidence of the effectiveness of covert speed cameras is equally compelling, with a further 21 per cent reduction in serious casualty crashes observed following their introduction in Victoria a decade ago.
Importantly, covert operations are more likely to increase drivers' perceived risk of detection and, therefore, more likely to achieve the urgently needed reductions in speed across the entire road network - not just the isolated road on which a fixed camera might operate.
There is still considerable opportunity for tangible reductions in speed-related road trauma in Australia as long as comprehensive and consistent speed management schemes are implemented across all states and territories.
Like other road safety strategies such as seatbelt legislation and enforcement in the 1970s, the use of speed cameras will succeed as long as the states and territories initiate expansive programs.
This appears to be a challenge, with the New South Wales Roads Minister last month turning off more than one quarter of the state's cameras. We await the fate of the Victorian program, with the Auditor-General scheduled to table his report on speed cameras next month.
There is a wealth of evidence that advocates the use of fixed and mobile cameras for the prevention of road injury. Yet in a number of jurisdictions throughout Australia, there is increasing reluctance to embrace speed cameras, one of the most successful road safety interventions.
One of the main reasons for this is that the public has come to see them as measures driven by revenue rather than safety. Governments need to change this perception by using the money from cameras and other speed enforcement practices to support national and state/territory road safety interventions. In a number of jurisdictions, the money is currently added to general revenue.
In order to achieve a 30 per cent decline in road fatalities and serious injury over the next 10 years - the target outlined in the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 - a commitment to more rigorous speed enforcement practices is needed. That should include overt and covert enforcement, with increased penalties.
Professor Mark Stevenson is director of the Monash University Accident Research Centre.
Professor Mark Stevenson is director of the Monash University Accident Research Centre
August 11, 2011
OPINION
http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/speed-cameras-are-one-of-road-safetys-success-stories-20110810-1imnm.html
Managing or containing travel speeds is the most fundamental tenet of road safety, and one of the most effective ways of managing the burgeoning incidence of road injury. There is no debate among scientists, bureaucrats or the public - the kinetic energy transferred in a motor vehicle crash results in the trauma that doctors see when victims arrive at hospitals.
We know that the greater the speed at impact, the greater the kinetic energy and, hence, the severity of injury. Clearly, anything that reduces the kinetic energy reduces the level of trauma. We know from research in Scandinavia that even a 10 per cent reduction in speed across the road network equates to a 30-40 per cent reduction in fatalities.
The management of speed is the success story of road injury prevention, and much of this success can be attributed to the widespread rollout of overt cameras, such as red-light cameras, and covert, such as mobile speed cameras.
Advertisement: Story continues below
In combination, both overt and covert cameras act as a deterrent, discouraging offenders from reoffending and deterring all road users irrespective of whether they have previously offended.
I use the term ''speed cameras" but the more appropriate term might be "safety cameras".
The evidence of the effectiveness of overt speed cameras is overwhelming, with recent evaluations of red-light and fixed speed cameras in Victoria highlighting a 47 per cent reduction in casualty crashes and an associated cost saving to the community of more than $8 million a year. The evidence of the effectiveness of covert speed cameras is equally compelling, with a further 21 per cent reduction in serious casualty crashes observed following their introduction in Victoria a decade ago.
Importantly, covert operations are more likely to increase drivers' perceived risk of detection and, therefore, more likely to achieve the urgently needed reductions in speed across the entire road network - not just the isolated road on which a fixed camera might operate.
There is still considerable opportunity for tangible reductions in speed-related road trauma in Australia as long as comprehensive and consistent speed management schemes are implemented across all states and territories.
Like other road safety strategies such as seatbelt legislation and enforcement in the 1970s, the use of speed cameras will succeed as long as the states and territories initiate expansive programs.
This appears to be a challenge, with the New South Wales Roads Minister last month turning off more than one quarter of the state's cameras. We await the fate of the Victorian program, with the Auditor-General scheduled to table his report on speed cameras next month.
There is a wealth of evidence that advocates the use of fixed and mobile cameras for the prevention of road injury. Yet in a number of jurisdictions throughout Australia, there is increasing reluctance to embrace speed cameras, one of the most successful road safety interventions.
One of the main reasons for this is that the public has come to see them as measures driven by revenue rather than safety. Governments need to change this perception by using the money from cameras and other speed enforcement practices to support national and state/territory road safety interventions. In a number of jurisdictions, the money is currently added to general revenue.
In order to achieve a 30 per cent decline in road fatalities and serious injury over the next 10 years - the target outlined in the National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 - a commitment to more rigorous speed enforcement practices is needed. That should include overt and covert enforcement, with increased penalties.
Professor Mark Stevenson is director of the Monash University Accident Research Centre.
http://www.danielbowen.com/2011/08/11/youi-insurance-fail/
http://www.danielbowen.com/2011/08/11/youi-insurance-fail/
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Welcome to the RTA’s Safer Roads NSW website
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/index.html
https://www.saferroadsnsw.com.au/
Welcome to the RTA’s Safer Roads NSW website
On this site you can find out how speed limits are set and reviewed. You can also have your say about speed limits and speed limit signs in NSW.
The information you provide, together with road safety and crash data, will help the RTA prioritise speed zones and speed limit signs for review.
https://www.saferroadsnsw.com.au/
Welcome to the RTA’s Safer Roads NSW website
On this site you can find out how speed limits are set and reviewed. You can also have your say about speed limits and speed limit signs in NSW.
The information you provide, together with road safety and crash data, will help the RTA prioritise speed zones and speed limit signs for review.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Drivers in a spin over speed limits (in WA)
Drivers in a spin over speed limits... Even Premier Colin Barnett has admitted that some limits "don't make sense".
KENT ACOTT, The West Australian
August 6, 2011, 9:14 am
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9984140/drivers-in-a-spin-over-speed-limits/
Many motorists are confused by speed limits across the metropolitan area.
Even Premier Colin Barnett has admitted that some limits "don't make sense".
Asked on a news website why there were so many inconsistencies between speed limits on Perth roads, Mr Barnett said: "I agree. When I drive on country roads, which I do regularly, I am dismayed at the number of changes in the speed limit.
"For example, it can go from 70km/h to 110km/h back to 80km/h. It makes no sense."
It seems many drivers agree with Mr Barnett.
A recent RAC survey of members revealed that motorists were often confused by speed limit changes (87 per cent) and unsure of what speed zones they were travelling in (80 per cent in metropolitan area and 60 per cent on country roads).
One reader who contacted The West Australian named roads in the Avon Valley as having "illogical speed limits" that "change just to trap drivers, rather than protect them".
Another reader said it made no sense that three parallel roads - Beechboro Road, Alexander Drive and Marmion Avenue - should have such different speed limits in the stretch from Reid Highway to Gnangara Road (or Whitfords Avenue in the case of Marmion Avenue).
Speeds on Beechboro Road range from 90km/h to 80km/h and then to 60km/h; Alexander Drive is almost 70km/h for the entire run and Marmion Avenue has 80km/h for the stretch.
Despite Mr Barnett's view, Transport Minister Troy Buswell is comfortable with the system.
"Speed limits are set based on criteria to enable traffic to flow as safely and as quickly as possible," he said. "This means, based on individual circumstances, that road speeds will vary."
The issue has already become a political one in NSW where the Liberal State Government has honoured an election commitment to audit speed limits with a view to having "fewer speed limit changes on stretches of road".
"Speed limits should be about the safe and efficient movement of traffic, not about revenue raising," then Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell said in February.
Shadow roads minister Andrew Stoner also said at the time that "drivers often find themselves on roads with speed limits that are unclear, confusing and inconsistent".
"We believe that clearer and more consistent speed limits will not only increase driver compliance and safety, but also improve traffic flow and help reduce travel times," he said.
KENT ACOTT, The West Australian
August 6, 2011, 9:14 am
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9984140/drivers-in-a-spin-over-speed-limits/
Many motorists are confused by speed limits across the metropolitan area.
Even Premier Colin Barnett has admitted that some limits "don't make sense".
Asked on a news website why there were so many inconsistencies between speed limits on Perth roads, Mr Barnett said: "I agree. When I drive on country roads, which I do regularly, I am dismayed at the number of changes in the speed limit.
"For example, it can go from 70km/h to 110km/h back to 80km/h. It makes no sense."
It seems many drivers agree with Mr Barnett.
A recent RAC survey of members revealed that motorists were often confused by speed limit changes (87 per cent) and unsure of what speed zones they were travelling in (80 per cent in metropolitan area and 60 per cent on country roads).
One reader who contacted The West Australian named roads in the Avon Valley as having "illogical speed limits" that "change just to trap drivers, rather than protect them".
Another reader said it made no sense that three parallel roads - Beechboro Road, Alexander Drive and Marmion Avenue - should have such different speed limits in the stretch from Reid Highway to Gnangara Road (or Whitfords Avenue in the case of Marmion Avenue).
Speeds on Beechboro Road range from 90km/h to 80km/h and then to 60km/h; Alexander Drive is almost 70km/h for the entire run and Marmion Avenue has 80km/h for the stretch.
Despite Mr Barnett's view, Transport Minister Troy Buswell is comfortable with the system.
"Speed limits are set based on criteria to enable traffic to flow as safely and as quickly as possible," he said. "This means, based on individual circumstances, that road speeds will vary."
The issue has already become a political one in NSW where the Liberal State Government has honoured an election commitment to audit speed limits with a view to having "fewer speed limit changes on stretches of road".
"Speed limits should be about the safe and efficient movement of traffic, not about revenue raising," then Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell said in February.
Shadow roads minister Andrew Stoner also said at the time that "drivers often find themselves on roads with speed limits that are unclear, confusing and inconsistent".
"We believe that clearer and more consistent speed limits will not only increase driver compliance and safety, but also improve traffic flow and help reduce travel times," he said.
Friday, August 5, 2011
NTC released a draft strategy covering speed compliance technologies
extracts from below article on NTC released a draft strategy covering speed compliance technolgies
http://www.tandlnews.com.au////article/National-strategy-driving-new-technologies-in-the-road-freight-industry-approved/JVRXLZBEJM.html
"The NTC is also currently working with the New South Wales Government, which is conducting an operational pilot of electronic work diaries and speed monitoring devices to test how the recommendations can be practically applied in the day-to-day operations of regulators and industry"
"Transport ministers also unanimously approved the NTC’s Electronic Systems for Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue and Speed Compliance:"
.NATIONAL STRATEGY DRIVING NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN THE ROAD FREIGHT INDUSTRY APPROVED
Australia’s transport ministers have unanimously approved a national strategy to drive the voluntary uptake of technology in the road freight industry to improve road safety, reduce transport costs and cut emissions.
NTC chief executive Nick Dimopoulos said the National In-Vehicle Telematics Strategy: The Road Freight Sector 2010-2030 provides the road freight industry and governments with a clear direction on technology use and gives industry the confidence they need to invest.
“The strategy makes it clear that both government and industry have a role to play in leading the take-up of technology.
“We look forward to working with governments and industry on implementing the strategy’s vision and encouraging the widespread voluntary uptake of in-vehicle technologies by 2030.”
Transport ministers also unanimously approved the NTC’s Electronic Systems for Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue and Speed Compliance: Policy Paper at the same meeting.
“With an agreed policy now in place, we expect that we will see, over time, greater adoption of technologies that will help operators manage fatigue and speed risks in real-time,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“This will have wide-spread safety benefits for industry, government and the community.”
Under the policy, in the future operators will have the flexibility to continue with the current paper-based system or use electronic work diaries while still meeting regulatory standards.
The NTC is also currently working with the New South Wales Government, which is conducting an operational pilot of electronic work diaries and speed monitoring devices to test how the recommendations can be practically applied in the day-to-day operations of regulators and industry.
The NTC developed both the strategy and policy paper in consultation with governments, industry and unions.
The NTC released a draft strategy and supporting discussion paper for public consultation in June 2010, while the draft policy paper was released for public consultation in October 2010.
The NTC used feedback from both consultations to refine the final documents before submitting them to Ministers for approval in May 2011.
The final strategy and policy paper can be downloaded from the NTC website at www.ntc.gov.au.
Tags:
http://www.tandlnews.com.au////article/National-strategy-driving-new-technologies-in-the-road-freight-industry-approved/JVRXLZBEJM.html
"The NTC is also currently working with the New South Wales Government, which is conducting an operational pilot of electronic work diaries and speed monitoring devices to test how the recommendations can be practically applied in the day-to-day operations of regulators and industry"
"Transport ministers also unanimously approved the NTC’s Electronic Systems for Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue and Speed Compliance:"
.NATIONAL STRATEGY DRIVING NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN THE ROAD FREIGHT INDUSTRY APPROVED
Australia’s transport ministers have unanimously approved a national strategy to drive the voluntary uptake of technology in the road freight industry to improve road safety, reduce transport costs and cut emissions.
NTC chief executive Nick Dimopoulos said the National In-Vehicle Telematics Strategy: The Road Freight Sector 2010-2030 provides the road freight industry and governments with a clear direction on technology use and gives industry the confidence they need to invest.
“The strategy makes it clear that both government and industry have a role to play in leading the take-up of technology.
“We look forward to working with governments and industry on implementing the strategy’s vision and encouraging the widespread voluntary uptake of in-vehicle technologies by 2030.”
Transport ministers also unanimously approved the NTC’s Electronic Systems for Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue and Speed Compliance: Policy Paper at the same meeting.
“With an agreed policy now in place, we expect that we will see, over time, greater adoption of technologies that will help operators manage fatigue and speed risks in real-time,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“This will have wide-spread safety benefits for industry, government and the community.”
Under the policy, in the future operators will have the flexibility to continue with the current paper-based system or use electronic work diaries while still meeting regulatory standards.
The NTC is also currently working with the New South Wales Government, which is conducting an operational pilot of electronic work diaries and speed monitoring devices to test how the recommendations can be practically applied in the day-to-day operations of regulators and industry.
The NTC developed both the strategy and policy paper in consultation with governments, industry and unions.
The NTC released a draft strategy and supporting discussion paper for public consultation in June 2010, while the draft policy paper was released for public consultation in October 2010.
The NTC used feedback from both consultations to refine the final documents before submitting them to Ministers for approval in May 2011.
The final strategy and policy paper can be downloaded from the NTC website at www.ntc.gov.au.
Tags:
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Fast roll out of mobile speed cameras backfires
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/fast-roll-out-of-mobile-speed-cameras-backfires/2241743.aspx
Fast roll out of mobile speed cameras backfires
BY MICHELLE HARRIS
29 Jul, 2011 04:00 AM
The state's mobile speed cameras were rolled out so swiftly last year the RTA did not have time to identify sites with the greatest safety risk where it should deploy the cameras and instead used old police locations.
NSW Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat's audit of speed cameras, released this week, found "there may be other locations for mobile cameras with greater road safety risk" than those the RTA used at present.
"This is because it had a short timeframe to roll out mobile cameras so it used sites based on former NSW Police Force locations," the audit said.
The former Labor government announced the cameras' roll out in March last year to address the state's road toll.
The six mobile cameras began issuing fines last August and have since earned $1.5 million.
Mr Achterstraat found the early results of the cameras' effectiveness were encouraging, but it was too soon to make findings. The RTA had recently identified some higher priority spots for their use.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay said he was concerned they had not targeted the highest risk sites from the outset.
"We will be looking for further evidence before we go further with mobile speed cameras," he said.
The government also ordered 38 of the state's 141 fixed speed cameras sites be turned off, after the audit found they provided no safety benefit and Mr Gay declared them "revenue raisers".
The audit found no evidence cameras were positioned to raise money.
Among those turned off were cameras at Newcastle Road, Lambton.
Fast roll out of mobile speed cameras backfires
BY MICHELLE HARRIS
29 Jul, 2011 04:00 AM
The state's mobile speed cameras were rolled out so swiftly last year the RTA did not have time to identify sites with the greatest safety risk where it should deploy the cameras and instead used old police locations.
NSW Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat's audit of speed cameras, released this week, found "there may be other locations for mobile cameras with greater road safety risk" than those the RTA used at present.
"This is because it had a short timeframe to roll out mobile cameras so it used sites based on former NSW Police Force locations," the audit said.
The former Labor government announced the cameras' roll out in March last year to address the state's road toll.
The six mobile cameras began issuing fines last August and have since earned $1.5 million.
Mr Achterstraat found the early results of the cameras' effectiveness were encouraging, but it was too soon to make findings. The RTA had recently identified some higher priority spots for their use.
Roads Minister Duncan Gay said he was concerned they had not targeted the highest risk sites from the outset.
"We will be looking for further evidence before we go further with mobile speed cameras," he said.
The government also ordered 38 of the state's 141 fixed speed cameras sites be turned off, after the audit found they provided no safety benefit and Mr Gay declared them "revenue raisers".
The audit found no evidence cameras were positioned to raise money.
Among those turned off were cameras at Newcastle Road, Lambton.
installed base of embedded OEM and Aftermarket connected car systems is expected to grow from 41 million to 189 million by 2016.
http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/despite-smartphone-challenge-embedded-oem-and-aftermarket-connected-car-systems-to-reach-189-million-by-2016-according-to-abi-research-1.3060952
LONDON--July 29, 2011: The installed base of embedded OEM and Aftermarket connected car systems is expected to grow from 41 million at the end of 2011 to 189 million by 2016.
ABI Research telematics and navigation group director Dominique Bonte comments: “Despite all the hype about hybrid and smartphone-based telematics solutions, embedded connected car systems still have a bright future. On the OEM side, solutions such as GM’s OnStar and Hyundai’s Blue Link offer more reliable safety and security functionality such as emergency calling. Similarly, embedded aftermarket systems for insurance telematics, road user charging, or stolen vehicle tracking offer the best performance. Finally, electric vehicles simply require embedded connectivity in order to remotely check battery charging status, which has even prompted Ford to abandon its hybrid approach in the Ford Focus Electric.”
However, car OEMs and Tier One suppliers are still facing multiple challenges in designing cost-effective, upgradeable, and easy-to-use embedded solutions and bringing them to the market rapidly. While vendors such as Continental, Saab, and SAIC Roewe and the GENIVI consortium are pinning their hopes on open source operating systems such as Android and Linux, others such as Toyota are looking to adopt cloud-based systems to achieve cost and scalability advantages.
As the “connected lifestyle” era continues to gain momentum -- especially with younger users -- automotive OEMs need to develop a solid connected car strategy as an absolute priority in order to retain control over the user experience, safety, and monetization opportunities of next generation vehicles.
ABI Research’s new “Connected Car Market Data“ provides detailed forecasts of embedded, hybrid, and converged connectivity solutions including subscribers, service revenue, and hardware shipments and revenues.
It is part of the recently launched Connected Car Research Service which also includes Research Reports, ABI Insights, ABI Vendor Matrices, Surveys, and analyst inquiry support.
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 40+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990
LONDON--July 29, 2011: The installed base of embedded OEM and Aftermarket connected car systems is expected to grow from 41 million at the end of 2011 to 189 million by 2016.
ABI Research telematics and navigation group director Dominique Bonte comments: “Despite all the hype about hybrid and smartphone-based telematics solutions, embedded connected car systems still have a bright future. On the OEM side, solutions such as GM’s OnStar and Hyundai’s Blue Link offer more reliable safety and security functionality such as emergency calling. Similarly, embedded aftermarket systems for insurance telematics, road user charging, or stolen vehicle tracking offer the best performance. Finally, electric vehicles simply require embedded connectivity in order to remotely check battery charging status, which has even prompted Ford to abandon its hybrid approach in the Ford Focus Electric.”
However, car OEMs and Tier One suppliers are still facing multiple challenges in designing cost-effective, upgradeable, and easy-to-use embedded solutions and bringing them to the market rapidly. While vendors such as Continental, Saab, and SAIC Roewe and the GENIVI consortium are pinning their hopes on open source operating systems such as Android and Linux, others such as Toyota are looking to adopt cloud-based systems to achieve cost and scalability advantages.
As the “connected lifestyle” era continues to gain momentum -- especially with younger users -- automotive OEMs need to develop a solid connected car strategy as an absolute priority in order to retain control over the user experience, safety, and monetization opportunities of next generation vehicles.
ABI Research’s new “Connected Car Market Data“ provides detailed forecasts of embedded, hybrid, and converged connectivity solutions including subscribers, service revenue, and hardware shipments and revenues.
It is part of the recently launched Connected Car Research Service which also includes Research Reports, ABI Insights, ABI Vendor Matrices, Surveys, and analyst inquiry support.
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 40+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has ordered that 38 speed cameras across the state be switched off
http://www.bellingencourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/speed-cameras-to-be-switched-off/2245334.aspx
Speed cameras to be switched off
02 Aug, 2011 10:11 AM
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has ordered that 38 speed cameras across the state be switched off immediately, including two in Bellingen Shire, after an audit found that they were not improving road safety. But not everyone is happy with the decision.
Mr Gay instructed the Roads and Traffic Authority to turn off the cameras, including one on the Pacific Highway in Urunga and another on the old highway at Bundagen, after receiving a report from the State's Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat, that identified the most hated cameras in NSW.
Mr Achterstraat's report found that: "overall, speed cameras change driver behaviour and improve road safety" but concluded there was no evidence that they were simply cash cows for the government.
The report said that despite some increases in the cost of fines, revenue from speed cameras last year was "basically the same" as in 2003 and the average number of speeding fines per camera fell after cameras were installed.
But Mr Gay said he had vowed before the election to rip out any cameras that were not effective.
"While this is encouraging, the audit also found that 38 of the existing 141 fixed speed camera locations had not reduced crashes," Mr Gay said.
"There has been community concern that some cameras are purely revenue raisers and this audit has allowed us to identify them and ensure they are removed."
But Urunga resident John May fears that switching off the Urunga speed camera will see a return to the days when trucks and cars sped through the town, particularly at night.
Mr May, who lives adjacent to the Pacific Highway near the Newry Island Bridge, monitored truck speeds through Urunga ten years ago.
“The average truck speed during the day then was 97km/hour in the 80km speed zone near the bridge and at night the average was 107km/hour,” he said. “They were going through here (at the speed camera) at 90km/hour.”
Mr May rang the Auditor-General (Peter Achterstraat) and told him he had the data on the traffic speed of trucks and cars at the Urunga speed camera. “He did not ask for the data.”
Speed cameras to be switched off
02 Aug, 2011 10:11 AM
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has ordered that 38 speed cameras across the state be switched off immediately, including two in Bellingen Shire, after an audit found that they were not improving road safety. But not everyone is happy with the decision.
Mr Gay instructed the Roads and Traffic Authority to turn off the cameras, including one on the Pacific Highway in Urunga and another on the old highway at Bundagen, after receiving a report from the State's Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat, that identified the most hated cameras in NSW.
Mr Achterstraat's report found that: "overall, speed cameras change driver behaviour and improve road safety" but concluded there was no evidence that they were simply cash cows for the government.
The report said that despite some increases in the cost of fines, revenue from speed cameras last year was "basically the same" as in 2003 and the average number of speeding fines per camera fell after cameras were installed.
But Mr Gay said he had vowed before the election to rip out any cameras that were not effective.
"While this is encouraging, the audit also found that 38 of the existing 141 fixed speed camera locations had not reduced crashes," Mr Gay said.
"There has been community concern that some cameras are purely revenue raisers and this audit has allowed us to identify them and ensure they are removed."
But Urunga resident John May fears that switching off the Urunga speed camera will see a return to the days when trucks and cars sped through the town, particularly at night.
Mr May, who lives adjacent to the Pacific Highway near the Newry Island Bridge, monitored truck speeds through Urunga ten years ago.
“The average truck speed during the day then was 97km/hour in the 80km speed zone near the bridge and at night the average was 107km/hour,” he said. “They were going through here (at the speed camera) at 90km/hour.”
Mr May rang the Auditor-General (Peter Achterstraat) and told him he had the data on the traffic speed of trucks and cars at the Urunga speed camera. “He did not ask for the data.”
CONFIDENCE remains strong in Victoria's fixed speed cameras
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/speed-camera-confidence-stays-high-20110727-1i0cq.html
Speed camera confidence stays high
Reid Sexton
July 28, 2011
Comments 40
Victoria's Auditor-General is currently auditing the state's speed cameras.
CONFIDENCE remains strong in Victoria's fixed speed cameras despite the New South Wales government yesterday shutting down more than a quarter of the devices across that state.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay ordered the cameras switched off after the NSW Auditor-General found 38 of the state's 141 cameras had no real safety benefit.
While the Auditor-General found no evidence that revenue was a factor in their placement, Mr Gay said the cameras were primarily revenue raisers and he pledged to dismantle them within weeks.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Victoria's Auditor-General is currently auditing the state's speed cameras at the request from Police Minister Peter Ryan.
His report is expected to examine the location of Victoria's cameras and is set to be tabled late next month.
The state government also plans to appoint a speed camera commissioner to oversee the system and its integrity.
Controversy has dogged the speed cameras with many motorists contesting fines from EastLink cameras.
But the RACV and Monash University Accident Research Centre back the present system, which has 171 fixed cameras.
RACV public policy manager Brian Negus said police reassurances had convinced him that EastLink's cameras were accurate.
Cameras in Victoria were generally positioned appropriately, he said, but a ''very small number'' in locations that he did not specify had been positioned in the wrong place and subsequently removed.
''We see the speed cameras in Victoria being a valid part of road safety tools,'' he said. ''In terms of NSW, Victoria has already taken action to have that review and that is a positive measure.''
Stuart Newstead, of Monash University Accident Research Centre, said the centre was about to unveil a report based on findings from 87 Victorian intersections that have digital red light speed cameras.
While it does not detail the effectiveness of cameras at individual sites, it shows they on average reduced crashes by 47 per cent within their immediate vicinity and by 26 per cent across the whole intersection.
''I think we should always evaluate the performance of all our road safety counter measures,'' Mr Newstead said.
''And if it seems like we need to change how we're operating we change. [But the centre's] evaluation … certainly suggests the fixed digital speed red light cameras that we have are doing a very good job.''
TAC chief Janet Dore said the NSW report inevitably would undermine public faith in the cameras. But she said since they were introduced in the late 1980s the road toll had more than halved.
The Department of Justice said the function of every Victorian camera was road safety.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/speed-camera-confidence-stays-high-20110727-1i0cq.html#ixzz1U0qW4BHQ
Speed camera confidence stays high
Reid Sexton
July 28, 2011
Comments 40
Victoria's Auditor-General is currently auditing the state's speed cameras.
CONFIDENCE remains strong in Victoria's fixed speed cameras despite the New South Wales government yesterday shutting down more than a quarter of the devices across that state.
NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay ordered the cameras switched off after the NSW Auditor-General found 38 of the state's 141 cameras had no real safety benefit.
While the Auditor-General found no evidence that revenue was a factor in their placement, Mr Gay said the cameras were primarily revenue raisers and he pledged to dismantle them within weeks.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Victoria's Auditor-General is currently auditing the state's speed cameras at the request from Police Minister Peter Ryan.
His report is expected to examine the location of Victoria's cameras and is set to be tabled late next month.
The state government also plans to appoint a speed camera commissioner to oversee the system and its integrity.
Controversy has dogged the speed cameras with many motorists contesting fines from EastLink cameras.
But the RACV and Monash University Accident Research Centre back the present system, which has 171 fixed cameras.
RACV public policy manager Brian Negus said police reassurances had convinced him that EastLink's cameras were accurate.
Cameras in Victoria were generally positioned appropriately, he said, but a ''very small number'' in locations that he did not specify had been positioned in the wrong place and subsequently removed.
''We see the speed cameras in Victoria being a valid part of road safety tools,'' he said. ''In terms of NSW, Victoria has already taken action to have that review and that is a positive measure.''
Stuart Newstead, of Monash University Accident Research Centre, said the centre was about to unveil a report based on findings from 87 Victorian intersections that have digital red light speed cameras.
While it does not detail the effectiveness of cameras at individual sites, it shows they on average reduced crashes by 47 per cent within their immediate vicinity and by 26 per cent across the whole intersection.
''I think we should always evaluate the performance of all our road safety counter measures,'' Mr Newstead said.
''And if it seems like we need to change how we're operating we change. [But the centre's] evaluation … certainly suggests the fixed digital speed red light cameras that we have are doing a very good job.''
TAC chief Janet Dore said the NSW report inevitably would undermine public faith in the cameras. But she said since they were introduced in the late 1980s the road toll had more than halved.
The Department of Justice said the function of every Victorian camera was road safety.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/speed-camera-confidence-stays-high-20110727-1i0cq.html#ixzz1U0qW4BHQ
hughestelematics In-Drive Family Co-Pilot service offers speedalerts
http://hughestelematics.com/solutions/after/family.php
Family Co-Pilot™
Print View Follow Share
The In-Drive Family Co-Pilot service set can provide customers with the peace of mind in knowing where
family members are driving. Customers have the ability to instantly locate their vehicles, personalize driving zones and even receive notifications when their vehicles depart and arrive at a specified location. Through a customized website, mobile application, email or text message, customers can access this real time location-based data.
Services Include:
Safety & Security
Stolen Vehicle Locate
Roadside Assistance
Crisis Assist
Safe Ride
Family Monitoring
Vehicle Location
Driving Alerts
Arrival and Departure Notifications
Trip Reports
Diagnostics & Emissions
Maintenance/Service Reminders
Vehicle Health Reports
Family Co-Pilot™
Print View Follow Share
The In-Drive Family Co-Pilot service set can provide customers with the peace of mind in knowing where
family members are driving. Customers have the ability to instantly locate their vehicles, personalize driving zones and even receive notifications when their vehicles depart and arrive at a specified location. Through a customized website, mobile application, email or text message, customers can access this real time location-based data.
Services Include:
Safety & Security
Stolen Vehicle Locate
Roadside Assistance
Crisis Assist
Safe Ride
Family Monitoring
Vehicle Location
Driving Alerts
Arrival and Departure Notifications
Trip Reports
Diagnostics & Emissions
Maintenance/Service Reminders
Vehicle Health Reports
In-Drive® from Hughes Telematics Offers New Safety and Diagnostic Features; Service Also Broadens Access to State Farm Drive Safe & Save™ Program
http://www.hughestelematics.com/press/releases/dssid.php
In-Drive offers a variety of new safety and diagnostics features including:
One-touch emergency response,
Roadside assistance,
Stolen vehicle location assistance,
Vehicle diagnostic alerts and maintenance reminders, and
Family-friendly features like location services and speed alerts
State Farm® Announces New Effort to Bring Connected Vehicle Services and Savings Program to Millions of Drivers
In-Drive® from Hughes Telematics Offers New Safety and Diagnostic Features; Service Also Broadens Access to State Farm Drive Safe & Save™ Program
ATLANTA, July 28, 2011 – State Farm and Hughes Telematics, Inc. are announcing a major joint effort to bring connected vehicle services and telematics savings programs to drivers across North America. The new effort is called In-Drive® and has been tailored specifically for State Farm policyholders by Hughes Telematics, Inc. The service debuts in Illinois in September with more states to be added in 2012.
In-Drive offers a variety of new safety and diagnostics features including:
One-touch emergency response,
Roadside assistance,
Stolen vehicle location assistance,
Vehicle diagnostic alerts and maintenance reminders, and
Family-friendly features like location services and speed alerts
In addition to offering these capabilities, the service also includes a special website and smartphone app for remote and mobile access.
"This combined offering represents a first in our industry," said Mike Wey, Senior Vice President, State Farm. "It will provide drivers with a wide range of new options that will make for a smarter vehicle and even smarter driver."
In-Drive provides an easy-to-install device that works in most vehicles made after 1995. It broadens access to new connected vehicle services without requiring drivers to purchase a new vehicle.
Services will be available in three different packages. For the first six months, the basic package will be free after a $10 activation fee. Other packages will range in cost from $5/month to $14.99/month plus applicable taxes.
Additional Savings Program
In addition to offering new connected services, In-Drive also will enable more State Farm policyholders to take part in the Drive Safe & Save program. In-Drive will provide driving performance data and the customer's savings will be based on mileage, turns, acceleration, braking, speed and time of day vehicle is operated.
Initially, those opting to participate in this voluntary program will save approximately 10 percent on liability, medical payments, collision and comprehensive coverages. The amount of premium savings can change at each renewal date (every six months) as odometer readings and other driving information become available. The discount may increase up to 50 percent, based on how safely a person drives, when they drive, and how much they drive. The website will showcase where a customer's discount stands and what factors have contributed to the discount. Drivers also can receive personalized tips on what they can do to maximize their savings.
Those who drive the national average of 12,000 miles per year can typically save from about three to 20 percent depending on the way you drive. These discounts are on top of other discounts State Farm provides.
To find out more specific information about In-Drive and Drive Safe & Save and eligibility, contact a State Farm agent or go to www.in-drive.com/sf. To find out more about Drive Safe & Save, go to www.statefarm.com/drivesafeandsave.
In-Drive offers a variety of new safety and diagnostics features including:
One-touch emergency response,
Roadside assistance,
Stolen vehicle location assistance,
Vehicle diagnostic alerts and maintenance reminders, and
Family-friendly features like location services and speed alerts
State Farm® Announces New Effort to Bring Connected Vehicle Services and Savings Program to Millions of Drivers
In-Drive® from Hughes Telematics Offers New Safety and Diagnostic Features; Service Also Broadens Access to State Farm Drive Safe & Save™ Program
ATLANTA, July 28, 2011 – State Farm and Hughes Telematics, Inc. are announcing a major joint effort to bring connected vehicle services and telematics savings programs to drivers across North America. The new effort is called In-Drive® and has been tailored specifically for State Farm policyholders by Hughes Telematics, Inc. The service debuts in Illinois in September with more states to be added in 2012.
In-Drive offers a variety of new safety and diagnostics features including:
One-touch emergency response,
Roadside assistance,
Stolen vehicle location assistance,
Vehicle diagnostic alerts and maintenance reminders, and
Family-friendly features like location services and speed alerts
In addition to offering these capabilities, the service also includes a special website and smartphone app for remote and mobile access.
"This combined offering represents a first in our industry," said Mike Wey, Senior Vice President, State Farm. "It will provide drivers with a wide range of new options that will make for a smarter vehicle and even smarter driver."
In-Drive provides an easy-to-install device that works in most vehicles made after 1995. It broadens access to new connected vehicle services without requiring drivers to purchase a new vehicle.
Services will be available in three different packages. For the first six months, the basic package will be free after a $10 activation fee. Other packages will range in cost from $5/month to $14.99/month plus applicable taxes.
Additional Savings Program
In addition to offering new connected services, In-Drive also will enable more State Farm policyholders to take part in the Drive Safe & Save program. In-Drive will provide driving performance data and the customer's savings will be based on mileage, turns, acceleration, braking, speed and time of day vehicle is operated.
Initially, those opting to participate in this voluntary program will save approximately 10 percent on liability, medical payments, collision and comprehensive coverages. The amount of premium savings can change at each renewal date (every six months) as odometer readings and other driving information become available. The discount may increase up to 50 percent, based on how safely a person drives, when they drive, and how much they drive. The website will showcase where a customer's discount stands and what factors have contributed to the discount. Drivers also can receive personalized tips on what they can do to maximize their savings.
Those who drive the national average of 12,000 miles per year can typically save from about three to 20 percent depending on the way you drive. These discounts are on top of other discounts State Farm provides.
To find out more specific information about In-Drive and Drive Safe & Save and eligibility, contact a State Farm agent or go to www.in-drive.com/sf. To find out more about Drive Safe & Save, go to www.statefarm.com/drivesafeandsave.
Villagers win battle to keep speed camera after minister intervenes
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/villagers-win-battle-to-keep-speed-camera-after-minister-intervenes-20110801-1i87x.html
Alexandra Smith, Jacob Saulwick
August 2, 2011
THE small village of Clunes on the far north coast has convinced the government to save its beloved speed camera.
The camera was one of the most lucrative in NSW, raising more than $1.2 million in fines this past financial year, but it was identified in an auditor-general's report last week as one of 38 cameras that had little impact on road safety.
It was to be turned off but after community outrage the Roads Minister Duncan Gay agreed to keep it yesterday.
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Two cameras that were also on the hit-list, outside Epping West Primary School on Epping Road and St Catherine Laboure Primary School on President Avenue in Gymea, have also been saved after lobbying by parents.
A spokesman for Mr Gay said the people caught speeding by the retained cameras would not be sent fines.
The cameras will act as a deterrent but they ''will operate only in warning phase'', the spokesman said. ''If a driver is caught by a camera … they are issued warning letters but not infringement notices.''
Clunes residents fought hard for a speed camera after a fatality and crashes on the town's main street and for a decade it has been slowing down the semi-trailers speeding through the town.
It was so popular, locals even lobbied the Roads and Traffic Authority for a second one.
The news comes as the NRMA vowed to travel the state to collect 10,000 signatures to force a debate in Parliament about redirecting revenue from speeding fines to improving road safety and funding extra highway patrol officers.
The Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has guaranteed to debate any issue in parliament that attracts 10,000 signatures.
The NRMA president, Wendy Machin, said if the government was serious about reducing the road toll then the revenue from speed fines should not be used for anything other than improving the safety of the roads.
"For years we've been calling for the revenue raised from traffic fines, in particular enforcement cameras, to be hypothecated to specific road safety measures such as funding road improvements, road safety education and more highway patrols across the state," Ms Machin said.
"We want the NSW government in its first term to legislate the hypothecation of the more than $140 million collected by speed cameras each year and the best way to make this happen is to get the 10,000 signatures we need to get this issue debated by Parliament.''
Alexandra Smith, Jacob Saulwick
August 2, 2011
THE small village of Clunes on the far north coast has convinced the government to save its beloved speed camera.
The camera was one of the most lucrative in NSW, raising more than $1.2 million in fines this past financial year, but it was identified in an auditor-general's report last week as one of 38 cameras that had little impact on road safety.
It was to be turned off but after community outrage the Roads Minister Duncan Gay agreed to keep it yesterday.
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Two cameras that were also on the hit-list, outside Epping West Primary School on Epping Road and St Catherine Laboure Primary School on President Avenue in Gymea, have also been saved after lobbying by parents.
A spokesman for Mr Gay said the people caught speeding by the retained cameras would not be sent fines.
The cameras will act as a deterrent but they ''will operate only in warning phase'', the spokesman said. ''If a driver is caught by a camera … they are issued warning letters but not infringement notices.''
Clunes residents fought hard for a speed camera after a fatality and crashes on the town's main street and for a decade it has been slowing down the semi-trailers speeding through the town.
It was so popular, locals even lobbied the Roads and Traffic Authority for a second one.
The news comes as the NRMA vowed to travel the state to collect 10,000 signatures to force a debate in Parliament about redirecting revenue from speeding fines to improving road safety and funding extra highway patrol officers.
The Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has guaranteed to debate any issue in parliament that attracts 10,000 signatures.
The NRMA president, Wendy Machin, said if the government was serious about reducing the road toll then the revenue from speed fines should not be used for anything other than improving the safety of the roads.
"For years we've been calling for the revenue raised from traffic fines, in particular enforcement cameras, to be hypothecated to specific road safety measures such as funding road improvements, road safety education and more highway patrols across the state," Ms Machin said.
"We want the NSW government in its first term to legislate the hypothecation of the more than $140 million collected by speed cameras each year and the best way to make this happen is to get the 10,000 signatures we need to get this issue debated by Parliament.''
Police to target mobile phone users
http://www.police.act.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/act/2011/august/Police%20to%20target%20mobile%20phone%20users.aspx?source=rss
For the months of August and September, ACT Policing will be targeting the use of mobile telephones while driving as part of its road safety campaign.
Research shows that driver distraction is a significant contributing factor in serious motor vehicle collisions. Throughout the next two months, all ACT Policing members will be actively looking for road users that are using their mobile telephone while driving without the correct mounting device in their vehicle.
ACT Policing has recently finished its traffic enforcement speeding campaign for June and July. During the campaign police issued 1,826 traffic infringement notices and cautions, a large number of which were ‘high speed’ traffic offences.
Twenty-six people were caught driving at very high-speeds with the highest recorded speed of 171km/h in an 80km/h zone committed by a 28-year-old man.
Over the past weekend (July 30-31) 15 drink drivers were apprehended, with a further nine motorists caught drink driving on Friday.
Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations, Sergeant Jeff Knight said that despite ACT Policing making steps forward in relation to road safety, these recent results are still very disappointing.
“To see traffic offences of this nature continuously being committed goes against the principles of road safety. Just like speed and driver distraction, driving while intoxicated can also play a significant part in a serious collision,” Sergeant Knight said.
“We don’t want to see officers knocking on the doors of family members and having to tell them that a loved-one has been killed in a collision that could have been avoided,” Sergeant Knight added.
For the months of August and September, ACT Policing will be targeting the use of mobile telephones while driving as part of its road safety campaign.
Research shows that driver distraction is a significant contributing factor in serious motor vehicle collisions. Throughout the next two months, all ACT Policing members will be actively looking for road users that are using their mobile telephone while driving without the correct mounting device in their vehicle.
ACT Policing has recently finished its traffic enforcement speeding campaign for June and July. During the campaign police issued 1,826 traffic infringement notices and cautions, a large number of which were ‘high speed’ traffic offences.
Twenty-six people were caught driving at very high-speeds with the highest recorded speed of 171km/h in an 80km/h zone committed by a 28-year-old man.
Over the past weekend (July 30-31) 15 drink drivers were apprehended, with a further nine motorists caught drink driving on Friday.
Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations, Sergeant Jeff Knight said that despite ACT Policing making steps forward in relation to road safety, these recent results are still very disappointing.
“To see traffic offences of this nature continuously being committed goes against the principles of road safety. Just like speed and driver distraction, driving while intoxicated can also play a significant part in a serious collision,” Sergeant Knight said.
“We don’t want to see officers knocking on the doors of family members and having to tell them that a loved-one has been killed in a collision that could have been avoided,” Sergeant Knight added.
RTA bolsters speed camera numbers
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/rta-bolsters-speed-camera-numbers/2246067.aspx?src=rss
RTA bolsters speed camera numbers.....Each camera cost $200,000 to install.
The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority has installed five new speed cameras at some of the Illawarra's busiest intersections, boosting the total number of the devices in the area to 13.
A week after a Fairy Meadow camera was switched off because it was found to have no impact on safety, the RTA yesterday confirmed it had spent $1 million on five new "safety cameras" at high-profile locations in Wollongong, Unanderra, Figtree and Windang.
The cameras will capture images of speeding drivers and cars running red lights.
They will not issue infringement notices until a government-ordered review determines they were not installed as revenue-raising exercises.
If they are given the green light to issue fines, the five cameras could be a lucrative source of income for the State Government, with thousands of cars negotiating the intersections each day.
An RTA spokeswoman said the new cameras would improve road safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes.
She said each site was selected because of the high number of recorded accidents.
The cameras have different signage to traditional fixed speed cameras and only declare there is a "safety camera ahead". They do not display the speed limit.
Last week, an infamous Balgownie Rd speed camera at Fairy Meadow was permanently switched off after Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat identified it as one of 38 across the state having no real impact on safety.
Close to $1.5 million in fines was collected last financial year from Illawarra speed cameras. The most active, monitoring north-bound traffic on the F6 at Gwynneville, reaped $500,000.
Nearly 10,000 motorists were fined by nine fixed speed cameras.
The new safety cameras are located at the corner of the Princes Hwy and Gladstone Ave, Wollongong; Princes Hwy and Five Islands Rd, Unanderra; Corrimal St and Burelli St, Wollongong; Princes Hwy and O'Briens Rd, Figtree; and Windang Rd and Boronia Ave, Windang.
Each camera cost $200,000 to install.
RTA bolsters speed camera numbers.....Each camera cost $200,000 to install.
The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority has installed five new speed cameras at some of the Illawarra's busiest intersections, boosting the total number of the devices in the area to 13.
A week after a Fairy Meadow camera was switched off because it was found to have no impact on safety, the RTA yesterday confirmed it had spent $1 million on five new "safety cameras" at high-profile locations in Wollongong, Unanderra, Figtree and Windang.
The cameras will capture images of speeding drivers and cars running red lights.
They will not issue infringement notices until a government-ordered review determines they were not installed as revenue-raising exercises.
If they are given the green light to issue fines, the five cameras could be a lucrative source of income for the State Government, with thousands of cars negotiating the intersections each day.
An RTA spokeswoman said the new cameras would improve road safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes.
She said each site was selected because of the high number of recorded accidents.
The cameras have different signage to traditional fixed speed cameras and only declare there is a "safety camera ahead". They do not display the speed limit.
Last week, an infamous Balgownie Rd speed camera at Fairy Meadow was permanently switched off after Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat identified it as one of 38 across the state having no real impact on safety.
Close to $1.5 million in fines was collected last financial year from Illawarra speed cameras. The most active, monitoring north-bound traffic on the F6 at Gwynneville, reaped $500,000.
Nearly 10,000 motorists were fined by nine fixed speed cameras.
The new safety cameras are located at the corner of the Princes Hwy and Gladstone Ave, Wollongong; Princes Hwy and Five Islands Rd, Unanderra; Corrimal St and Burelli St, Wollongong; Princes Hwy and O'Briens Rd, Figtree; and Windang Rd and Boronia Ave, Windang.
Each camera cost $200,000 to install.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Slow down on speed camera hysteria
http://theconversation.edu.au/slow-down-on-speed-camera-hysteria-2625
2 August 2011, 2.32pm AEST
Slow down on speed camera hysteria
The Auditor General’s review of speed cameras is a good effort in identifying the safety value of speed cameras in NSW. This is not the first time the NSW speed cameras have been reviewed. As presented in the report, the RTA reviewed their data and found that at fixed speed camera locations total crashes…
AUTHORS
Raphael Grzebieta
University of New South Wales
Lori Mooren
Senior research fellow at University of New South Wales
The Auditor General’s review of speed cameras is a good effort in identifying the safety value of speed cameras in NSW.
This is not the first time the NSW speed cameras have been reviewed. As presented in the report, the RTA reviewed their data and found that at fixed speed camera locations total crashes and injuries reduced by 26% and fatalities by 67% in the three years after installation.
Indeed, the auditor general concluded that speed cameras change driver behaviour and have a positive safety impact. The Auditor General in effect has confirmed what the RTA has found and scientific community has known for the past decade from extensive research that speed cameras prevent road traffic collisions and injuries. Why is that so hard to accept by a vocal minority and the media?
The media sensationalism about this issue is confounding the real message from the Auditor’s report that speed cameras save lives and reduce serious injuries on NSW roads.
Headlines such as the Sydney Morning Herald – “Top Speed Cameras still make a fast buck” and – “Some speed cameras cash cows, audit to show” and the Daily Telegraph’s front page headline ”Can’t Kick Speed Habit” and “Speedy end to cameras” and – “Addicted to Speed Cameras”– are all missing the point.
But worse is the continuing and unethical campaigns by the commercial television programs such as Today Tonight and A Current Affair, that have repeatedly aired misleading and unbalanced stories that focus on the revenue raising aspects without acknowledging the scientific facts that these cameras are saving many lives.
It is a feeding frenzy by the media – it is being portrayed as if there is a huge injustice being carried out against people that has now been corrected by the new NSW government. Are we missing something here or weren’t these people fined for breaking the law?
Doubters don’t have to take our word for it that cameras save lives and reduce injuries. They can read the Cochrane review into the effects of speed cameras on speeds and road trauma by Wilson and her colleagues.
This review assessed twenty eight studies from around the world that measured the effect of speed cameras on crashes. The review reported consistent positive reductions in speed and as a result crashes. For crashes resulting in death or serious injury reductions ranged from 17% to 58%, with most studies reporting this result in the 30% to 40% reduction range.
And if there are still any further suspicions, then doubters can also read the Pilkington and Kinra paper in the British Medical Journal that reviewed 92 studies on the effectiveness of speed cameras and concluded that “Research consistently shows the effectiveness of speed cameras in preventing road traffic collisions and injuries”.
The link between strong enforcement and reduction in fatalities and serious injuries is undeniable and scientifically proven. Even the Auditor’s report seems to demonstrate this. For example, consider the graph of speeding fines versus fatalities on page 39.
It is interesting to note that the fatalities between Aug 04 to Feb 07 flat-lined when fines were down. When fines then went up between Feb 07 to Oct 08 the fatalities dropped substantially. Also when the fines reduced in March 09 the fatalities started to spike back up again. It is not surprising there seems to be a relationship between the value of fines issued and number of fatalities.
The formula is simple. Speed limits are set in a way so that if an errant driver loses control in a crashworthy vehicle, people inside the vehicle (and any other road users outside that the vehicle hits) will be able to fully recover from any injuries that may result from the crash event.
Allow average speeds to increase as a result of insufficient enforcement and sure as night turns into day, deaths and serious injuries will rise.
As for the claim that any speed cameras are for revenue raising, the experience in NSW shows that they become less profitable over time. Exhibit 16 on page 22 of the Auditor’s report shows the total value of fines issued appears to reduce in successive months after the cameras are installed.
This suggests, as the Auditor General identified in his review, that the cameras are effective in changing behaviour and increasing road safety. So how can the media and vocal few claim with any credibility that the cameras are for revenue raising?
What they need to remember is there is one very simple way for drivers to avoid getting fined. Drivers can keep to the speed limit along with two thirds of NSW drivers who have not been fined for speeding.
Hard you say? Not really. Even if you find it difficult to notice speed limit signs, there are numerous GPS and intelligent speed systems and even a phone app now available that will warn you if you are exceeding the speed limit any time anywhere.
For a few dollars investment drivers can avoid being fined, assuming they are not intentionally exceeding the speed limit and breaking the law.
2 August 2011, 2.32pm AEST
Slow down on speed camera hysteria
The Auditor General’s review of speed cameras is a good effort in identifying the safety value of speed cameras in NSW. This is not the first time the NSW speed cameras have been reviewed. As presented in the report, the RTA reviewed their data and found that at fixed speed camera locations total crashes…
AUTHORS
Raphael Grzebieta
University of New South Wales
Lori Mooren
Senior research fellow at University of New South Wales
The Auditor General’s review of speed cameras is a good effort in identifying the safety value of speed cameras in NSW.
This is not the first time the NSW speed cameras have been reviewed. As presented in the report, the RTA reviewed their data and found that at fixed speed camera locations total crashes and injuries reduced by 26% and fatalities by 67% in the three years after installation.
Indeed, the auditor general concluded that speed cameras change driver behaviour and have a positive safety impact. The Auditor General in effect has confirmed what the RTA has found and scientific community has known for the past decade from extensive research that speed cameras prevent road traffic collisions and injuries. Why is that so hard to accept by a vocal minority and the media?
The media sensationalism about this issue is confounding the real message from the Auditor’s report that speed cameras save lives and reduce serious injuries on NSW roads.
Headlines such as the Sydney Morning Herald – “Top Speed Cameras still make a fast buck” and – “Some speed cameras cash cows, audit to show” and the Daily Telegraph’s front page headline ”Can’t Kick Speed Habit” and “Speedy end to cameras” and – “Addicted to Speed Cameras”– are all missing the point.
But worse is the continuing and unethical campaigns by the commercial television programs such as Today Tonight and A Current Affair, that have repeatedly aired misleading and unbalanced stories that focus on the revenue raising aspects without acknowledging the scientific facts that these cameras are saving many lives.
It is a feeding frenzy by the media – it is being portrayed as if there is a huge injustice being carried out against people that has now been corrected by the new NSW government. Are we missing something here or weren’t these people fined for breaking the law?
Doubters don’t have to take our word for it that cameras save lives and reduce injuries. They can read the Cochrane review into the effects of speed cameras on speeds and road trauma by Wilson and her colleagues.
This review assessed twenty eight studies from around the world that measured the effect of speed cameras on crashes. The review reported consistent positive reductions in speed and as a result crashes. For crashes resulting in death or serious injury reductions ranged from 17% to 58%, with most studies reporting this result in the 30% to 40% reduction range.
And if there are still any further suspicions, then doubters can also read the Pilkington and Kinra paper in the British Medical Journal that reviewed 92 studies on the effectiveness of speed cameras and concluded that “Research consistently shows the effectiveness of speed cameras in preventing road traffic collisions and injuries”.
The link between strong enforcement and reduction in fatalities and serious injuries is undeniable and scientifically proven. Even the Auditor’s report seems to demonstrate this. For example, consider the graph of speeding fines versus fatalities on page 39.
It is interesting to note that the fatalities between Aug 04 to Feb 07 flat-lined when fines were down. When fines then went up between Feb 07 to Oct 08 the fatalities dropped substantially. Also when the fines reduced in March 09 the fatalities started to spike back up again. It is not surprising there seems to be a relationship between the value of fines issued and number of fatalities.
The formula is simple. Speed limits are set in a way so that if an errant driver loses control in a crashworthy vehicle, people inside the vehicle (and any other road users outside that the vehicle hits) will be able to fully recover from any injuries that may result from the crash event.
Allow average speeds to increase as a result of insufficient enforcement and sure as night turns into day, deaths and serious injuries will rise.
As for the claim that any speed cameras are for revenue raising, the experience in NSW shows that they become less profitable over time. Exhibit 16 on page 22 of the Auditor’s report shows the total value of fines issued appears to reduce in successive months after the cameras are installed.
This suggests, as the Auditor General identified in his review, that the cameras are effective in changing behaviour and increasing road safety. So how can the media and vocal few claim with any credibility that the cameras are for revenue raising?
What they need to remember is there is one very simple way for drivers to avoid getting fined. Drivers can keep to the speed limit along with two thirds of NSW drivers who have not been fined for speeding.
Hard you say? Not really. Even if you find it difficult to notice speed limit signs, there are numerous GPS and intelligent speed systems and even a phone app now available that will warn you if you are exceeding the speed limit any time anywhere.
For a few dollars investment drivers can avoid being fined, assuming they are not intentionally exceeding the speed limit and breaking the law.
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