http://northern-district-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/stopping-traffic-to-make-sure-children-stay-safe/
RESIDENTS of North Ryde are concerned that a life will be taken if better safety measures are not put in place at the corner of Cox's and Lane Cove roads.
Katherine Israel, one of the founding members of North Ryde Pedestrian Safety Group, said they "need a pedestrian overpass".
Along with other mothers, Nicole Starling and Rebecca Ebel walk across the busy, eight-lane Lane Cove Rd to get their children to school.
"Not only would it make getting to and from school safer, it would improve traffic flow," Mrs Israel said.
"In the short term we would like state Roads Minister Duncan Gay to put in a safety camera, because that can happen immediately.
"We know that even if planning started right now for the bridge, it would take some years before it was completed."
She said the green "walk" signal goes away too quickly to get the whole way across the road.
Ms Starling said there had been many near misses, including one with her youngest daughter.
"My husband had to swerve the pram with my daughter in it when someone ran a red light.
Mr Gay accepted an invitation to visit the site on Friday afternoon and committed to a series of measures, including the possibility of installing a safety camera.
THE PROBLEM:
Safety issues on the corner of Cox's Rd and Lane Cove Rd, North Ryde.
THE FIX:
ROADS Minister Duncan Gay and Ryde state Liberal MP Victor Dominello inspected the intersection on Friday.
Mr Gay has ordered the following works:
A Give Way to Pedestrians sign facing vehicles coming from Coxs Road has been installed;
The green ``walk'' signal time at Lane Cove Rd has been increased during morning and afternoon school zone times;
Arranged for the high visibility Children Cross dhing Ahead sign qlto be moved closer to qlthe crossing (toward Kent Rd);
Installed an additional high visibility Children Crossing Ahead sign near Ford St;
Possibly install a speed camera;
Additional 40km/h school zone pavement.
SAFETY FEARS
Residents want action after a spate of issues with the intersection including:
A child hit by a tyre and very seriously injured in 2009;
A child hit by a motor cycle on the crossing in 2009;
Numerous incidents of cars running the red light;
Lights often changing while pedestrians are still crossing; thCars turning out of Coxs Road into the line of pedestrians. ql vp+4 bfBetween 2006-2010 there have been:
22 crashes within 10 metres of the intersection; ql th15 crashes that involved injuries to three pedestrians, one of them a child; ql th8 crashes which took place during school travel time.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
qld TMR Launches “Road Safety Matters” Online!
http://tmr.qld.gov.au/roadsafetymatters
Road Safety Matters
Road Safety Matters has been developed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads in partnership with the Department of Education and Training.
It is a comprehensive curriculum–based education package designed to stimulate discussion and understanding of road safety issues amongst primary and early secondary students.
Road Safety Matters meets current curriculum requirements in Queensland. It aligns with Queensland Studies Authority’s Years 1-9 Health and Physical Education Essential Learnings and provides a range of opportunities for integration with other key learning areas.
Research has shown that exposing children early to positive road safety messages, and then reinforcing these messages consistently over time, is effective in influencing attitudes and behaviours towards road safety throughout their lifetime.
To download the resources for your school, select your year level.
Prep + Year 1 – Little voices, big choices
Year 2 + 3 – Watching me, watching you
Year 4 + 5 – Take a walk in my shoes
Year 6 + 7 – What about me?
Year 8 + 9 – My safety, my choice
Road Safety Matters
Road Safety Matters has been developed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads in partnership with the Department of Education and Training.
It is a comprehensive curriculum–based education package designed to stimulate discussion and understanding of road safety issues amongst primary and early secondary students.
Road Safety Matters meets current curriculum requirements in Queensland. It aligns with Queensland Studies Authority’s Years 1-9 Health and Physical Education Essential Learnings and provides a range of opportunities for integration with other key learning areas.
Research has shown that exposing children early to positive road safety messages, and then reinforcing these messages consistently over time, is effective in influencing attitudes and behaviours towards road safety throughout their lifetime.
To download the resources for your school, select your year level.
Prep + Year 1 – Little voices, big choices
Year 2 + 3 – Watching me, watching you
Year 4 + 5 – Take a walk in my shoes
Year 6 + 7 – What about me?
Year 8 + 9 – My safety, my choice
Saturday, June 16, 2012
ACT more speedcameras on the cards
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/more-speed-cameras-on-the-cards-20120615-20eqf.html
Thursday, June 14, 2012
teen convicted of homicide in texting-while-driving case
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/06/justice/massachusetts-texting-trial/index.html?iref=obinsite
A Massachusetts teen was convicted Wednesday of homicide as a result of texting while driving and will serve one year in prison.
In a landmark case for the state, Aaron Deveau, 18, was found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide, texting while driving and negligent operation of a motor vehicle in a 2011 crash that fatally injured Donald Bowley, 55, of Danville, New Hampshire, and seriously injured a passenger in Bowley's car.
"I made a mistake," Deveau said Wednesday after his mother told the district court in Haverhill, Massachusetts he would not intentionally hurt anyone. "If I could take it back, I would take it back."
Judge Stephen Abany sentenced the teen to two and a half years on the vehicular homicide charge and two years on the texting and causing injury charge. He will serve one year concurrently on both charges and the balance of both charges is suspended for five years. His license will be suspended for 15 years.
"There are no winners today," Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement. "A beloved grandfather is dead. A once active woman can no longer work and is still racked with pain from her injuries and a young man is going to jail. When we get behind the wheel of a car, we are obligated to drive with care. ... As we saw in this case, in a split second, many lives are forever changed."
A Massachusetts teen was convicted Wednesday of homicide as a result of texting while driving and will serve one year in prison.
In a landmark case for the state, Aaron Deveau, 18, was found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide, texting while driving and negligent operation of a motor vehicle in a 2011 crash that fatally injured Donald Bowley, 55, of Danville, New Hampshire, and seriously injured a passenger in Bowley's car.
"I made a mistake," Deveau said Wednesday after his mother told the district court in Haverhill, Massachusetts he would not intentionally hurt anyone. "If I could take it back, I would take it back."
Judge Stephen Abany sentenced the teen to two and a half years on the vehicular homicide charge and two years on the texting and causing injury charge. He will serve one year concurrently on both charges and the balance of both charges is suspended for five years. His license will be suspended for 15 years.
"There are no winners today," Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement. "A beloved grandfather is dead. A once active woman can no longer work and is still racked with pain from her injuries and a young man is going to jail. When we get behind the wheel of a car, we are obligated to drive with care. ... As we saw in this case, in a split second, many lives are forever changed."
No
more speeding tickets -SpeedAlert-Live the free app that protects your
driving license from the risks of unintentional speeding. www.speedalertlive.com
Found this Blog interesting? Please consider sharing.Saturday, June 9, 2012
Drugs, speed in long weekend police crackdown
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/drugs-speed-in-long-weekend-police-crackdown/2585221.aspx?src=rss
Booze buses, Highway Patrol members and uniformed police will swarm Ballarat’s streets and highways this long weekend as part of a major road safety police blitz.
Operation Aegis XII officially began yesterday and will run through to Monday, targeting all road users from heavy vehicles to cars to cyclists as part of the ‘We are the toll’ campaign.
The campaign was launched on April 1 following predictions that the final 2012 road toll could be 30 to 40 deaths higher than last year.
Ballarat Highway Patrol Sergeant Stuart Gale said members would be focusing on speed, drink driving and driver distraction, but would place a special emphasis on fatigue.
“Statistically, single vehicles going off-road is our biggest killer in the division,” he said.
“If people are driving long distances this weekend, they should make sure they take regular breaks.”
Sergeant Gale said police were taking no chances this weekend, using all their resources to swamp the district with blue and white.
“It’s the same message each time and police get frustrated when people don’t listen to the warnings,” he said.
“We’ll be taking a zero tolerance approach this weekend.”
Hundreds of police will also descend on inner Melbourne roads, flooding major city exit routes in the largest Automatic Number Plate Recognition operation ever run in Victoria.
Numerous ANPR sites will be set up across inner Melbourne, scanning thousands of vehicles as motorists leave the city for the long weekend.
Road Policing Superintendent Neville Taylor said research showed that unauthorised drivers were commonly over represented in road trauma.
“Whether they’re unlicensed or driving an unregistered vehicle, unauthorised drivers create extra risks on our roads,” he said.
“As we see large volumes of traffic leaving Melbourne going into the long weekend, the use of ANPR technology will allow us to detect these risk takers, get them off the road and hopefully have a positive effect on reducing road trauma.”
Booze buses, Highway Patrol members and uniformed police will swarm Ballarat’s streets and highways this long weekend as part of a major road safety police blitz.
Operation Aegis XII officially began yesterday and will run through to Monday, targeting all road users from heavy vehicles to cars to cyclists as part of the ‘We are the toll’ campaign.
The campaign was launched on April 1 following predictions that the final 2012 road toll could be 30 to 40 deaths higher than last year.
Ballarat Highway Patrol Sergeant Stuart Gale said members would be focusing on speed, drink driving and driver distraction, but would place a special emphasis on fatigue.
“Statistically, single vehicles going off-road is our biggest killer in the division,” he said.
“If people are driving long distances this weekend, they should make sure they take regular breaks.”
Sergeant Gale said police were taking no chances this weekend, using all their resources to swamp the district with blue and white.
“It’s the same message each time and police get frustrated when people don’t listen to the warnings,” he said.
“We’ll be taking a zero tolerance approach this weekend.”
Hundreds of police will also descend on inner Melbourne roads, flooding major city exit routes in the largest Automatic Number Plate Recognition operation ever run in Victoria.
Numerous ANPR sites will be set up across inner Melbourne, scanning thousands of vehicles as motorists leave the city for the long weekend.
Road Policing Superintendent Neville Taylor said research showed that unauthorised drivers were commonly over represented in road trauma.
“Whether they’re unlicensed or driving an unregistered vehicle, unauthorised drivers create extra risks on our roads,” he said.
“As we see large volumes of traffic leaving Melbourne going into the long weekend, the use of ANPR technology will allow us to detect these risk takers, get them off the road and hopefully have a positive effect on reducing road trauma.”
A MOTHER who accidentally hit a five-year-old girl with her car yesterday is calling for speed limits to be reduced
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2012/06/08/336781_news.html
A MOTHER who accidentally hit a five-year-old girl with her car yesterday is calling for speed limits to be reduced and more pedestrian crossings installed across the city.
The accident in Annandale occurred just hours before a 14-year-old student was critically injured after his bike and a truck collided as he was riding home from school.
The boy's mother arrived at the scene at the intersection of Woolcock and Boundary streets shortly after the crash at 3.20pm and cried as her son was loaded on to a spinal board and into an ambulance.
He was conscious and moaning in pain as paramedics attended to him, and was last night in Townsville Hospital in a critical condition after undergoing surgery.
His mother was escorted in a police car to be at her son's bedside.
The number of pedestrians involved in traffic crashes has jumped almost 33 per cent, from 58 in 2010 to 77 in 2011.
Of the pedestrians seriously injured between January 2009 and June 2011, almost 42 per cent were under the age of 16.
Jancy Jo, who accidentally hit the-five-year-old Year 1 student from Annandale State School, said traffic congestion and poor visibility on Casuarina Dr had contributed to the accident.
The little girl suffered minor injuries after she was struck while walking to school about 8.45am and was taken to Townsville Hospital as a precaution.
Ms Jo called for council to reduce the speed limit, so it was in line with other roads surrounding the school, or construct pedestrian crossings on the road to improve safety for children. "The road here is so dangerous. There are kids and cars everywhere during drop-off times and you can barely see through them all," Ms Jo said.
"The road is ridiculous. There's no view and several blind spots. The council needs to do something.
"I was dropping my daughter at school. I saw a group of four kids standing on the corner of Berrigan Ave, before the smallest one let go of her sister's hand, approached the road, and ran into my side mirror."
Casuarina Dr is a 50km/h zone and has no pedestrian crossing.
Ms Jo, a mother of five, said during peak school zone times the road was regularly used by students, teachers and parents crossing the pedestrian bridge on to school grounds. Annandale State School is also bordered by Yolanda Dr and Oleander St, which both have pedestrian crossings and 40km/h signpostings.
A Townsville City Council spokesman yesterday said council would consider extending the school zone in the area if there was enough community support.
A MOTHER who accidentally hit a five-year-old girl with her car yesterday is calling for speed limits to be reduced and more pedestrian crossings installed across the city.
The accident in Annandale occurred just hours before a 14-year-old student was critically injured after his bike and a truck collided as he was riding home from school.
The boy's mother arrived at the scene at the intersection of Woolcock and Boundary streets shortly after the crash at 3.20pm and cried as her son was loaded on to a spinal board and into an ambulance.
He was conscious and moaning in pain as paramedics attended to him, and was last night in Townsville Hospital in a critical condition after undergoing surgery.
His mother was escorted in a police car to be at her son's bedside.
The number of pedestrians involved in traffic crashes has jumped almost 33 per cent, from 58 in 2010 to 77 in 2011.
Of the pedestrians seriously injured between January 2009 and June 2011, almost 42 per cent were under the age of 16.
Jancy Jo, who accidentally hit the-five-year-old Year 1 student from Annandale State School, said traffic congestion and poor visibility on Casuarina Dr had contributed to the accident.
The little girl suffered minor injuries after she was struck while walking to school about 8.45am and was taken to Townsville Hospital as a precaution.
Ms Jo called for council to reduce the speed limit, so it was in line with other roads surrounding the school, or construct pedestrian crossings on the road to improve safety for children. "The road here is so dangerous. There are kids and cars everywhere during drop-off times and you can barely see through them all," Ms Jo said.
"The road is ridiculous. There's no view and several blind spots. The council needs to do something.
"I was dropping my daughter at school. I saw a group of four kids standing on the corner of Berrigan Ave, before the smallest one let go of her sister's hand, approached the road, and ran into my side mirror."
Casuarina Dr is a 50km/h zone and has no pedestrian crossing.
Ms Jo, a mother of five, said during peak school zone times the road was regularly used by students, teachers and parents crossing the pedestrian bridge on to school grounds. Annandale State School is also bordered by Yolanda Dr and Oleander St, which both have pedestrian crossings and 40km/h signpostings.
A Townsville City Council spokesman yesterday said council would consider extending the school zone in the area if there was enough community support.
No
more speeding tickets -SpeedAlert-Live the free app that protects your
driving license from the risks of unintentional speeding. www.speedalertlive.com
Found this Blog interesting? Please consider sharing.Thursday, June 7, 2012
NSW speed camera plan a 'cash grab'
http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=756539&vId=
A vastly bigger network of mobile speed and red light cameras will soon gaze down on NSW drivers in a safety crackdown that the opposition calls a 'cash grab' by the state.
Signs warning motorists of the cameras will also increase - in size, as well as in number - to ward off complaints about the 'entrapment' of unsuspecting drivers.
The NRMA and police have backed the fast spread of speed cameras, announced by NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay on Friday.
Mr Gay said the changes were aimed at saving lives, not raising revenue, but he admitted the increase in cameras would be unpopular with motorists, who have long complained they simply gouge money from drivers.
'I don't expect it is going to be universally loved,' Mr Gay acknowledged.
The number of mobile speed camera vehicles would increase from six to 45, and red light cameras from 91 to 200 locations, he said.
Fixed speed cameras would remain about the same, at 139, including seven of the 38 cameras that were switched off by the O'Farrell government after a review by the auditor-general last year.
Point-to-point cameras will watch over 24 stretches of road, up from the current 21.
Mr Gay said all money raised by the cameras, expected to be initially $180 million a year, would go to a new Community Road Safety Fund rather than into consolidated revenue.
'There will be some people that are unhappy, but I think by and large there will be a lot of people that are happy because finally they've seen a government that's not going to be tricky, that's going to be up-front.
'These cameras save lives, but we don't necessarily want the revenue from them.'
NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson said the government was resorting to a money grab with a sharp rise in speed cameras that contradicted Premier Barry O'Farrell's previous stance.
Last year Mr O'Farrell ordered an audit to address motorists' concerns cameras were being used as cash cows, saying any that were found to be simple revenue-raisers would be 'ripped out'.
'He's announcing a more than doubling of the number of speed cameras on our roads,' Mr Robertson said.
'There's never been an excuse for speeding on our roads, (but) this is a straight-out cash grab by Barry O'Farrell on the motorists of NSW.'
Tony Stuart, chief of the NRMA motoring group, said the new camera regime and road safety fund would help save lives.
'What these initiatives are doing is really focusing on safety,' he said.
Assistant Police Commissioner John Hartley said the changes would help police reduce the road toll.
'The fact is that speed plays a high figure in those killed on our roads and those injured,' he said.
'I welcome the package, I welcome the hypothecation of the money, I think it will certainly make sure improvements on roads will happen.'
A vastly bigger network of mobile speed and red light cameras will soon gaze down on NSW drivers in a safety crackdown that the opposition calls a 'cash grab' by the state.
Signs warning motorists of the cameras will also increase - in size, as well as in number - to ward off complaints about the 'entrapment' of unsuspecting drivers.
The NRMA and police have backed the fast spread of speed cameras, announced by NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay on Friday.
Mr Gay said the changes were aimed at saving lives, not raising revenue, but he admitted the increase in cameras would be unpopular with motorists, who have long complained they simply gouge money from drivers.
'I don't expect it is going to be universally loved,' Mr Gay acknowledged.
The number of mobile speed camera vehicles would increase from six to 45, and red light cameras from 91 to 200 locations, he said.
Fixed speed cameras would remain about the same, at 139, including seven of the 38 cameras that were switched off by the O'Farrell government after a review by the auditor-general last year.
Point-to-point cameras will watch over 24 stretches of road, up from the current 21.
Mr Gay said all money raised by the cameras, expected to be initially $180 million a year, would go to a new Community Road Safety Fund rather than into consolidated revenue.
'There will be some people that are unhappy, but I think by and large there will be a lot of people that are happy because finally they've seen a government that's not going to be tricky, that's going to be up-front.
'These cameras save lives, but we don't necessarily want the revenue from them.'
NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson said the government was resorting to a money grab with a sharp rise in speed cameras that contradicted Premier Barry O'Farrell's previous stance.
Last year Mr O'Farrell ordered an audit to address motorists' concerns cameras were being used as cash cows, saying any that were found to be simple revenue-raisers would be 'ripped out'.
'He's announcing a more than doubling of the number of speed cameras on our roads,' Mr Robertson said.
'There's never been an excuse for speeding on our roads, (but) this is a straight-out cash grab by Barry O'Farrell on the motorists of NSW.'
Tony Stuart, chief of the NRMA motoring group, said the new camera regime and road safety fund would help save lives.
'What these initiatives are doing is really focusing on safety,' he said.
Assistant Police Commissioner John Hartley said the changes would help police reduce the road toll.
'The fact is that speed plays a high figure in those killed on our roads and those injured,' he said.
'I welcome the package, I welcome the hypothecation of the money, I think it will certainly make sure improvements on roads will happen.'
No
more speeding tickets -SpeedAlert-Live the free app that protects your
driving license from the risks of unintentional speeding. www.speedalertlive.com
Found this Blog interesting? Please consider sharing.Speed blitz: fixed, mobile camera numbers to surge on NSW roads
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/speed-blitz-fixed-mobile-camera-numbers-to-surge-on-nsw-roads-20120601-1zm6i.html
The number of mobile and fixed speed cameras across the state will jump sharply in a major upgrade announced by the NSW government today.
Unveiling the government's new "speed camera strategy", the roads minister, Duncan Gay, revealed the number of locations hosting red-light speed cameras would more than double and there would be a seven-fold increase in the number of hours monitored by mobile speed cameras.
Mr Gay conceded the measures would raise extra revenue, but he said the government would ensure it all went on road safety.
"This government for the first time will ensure money raised from speed, red light and point-to-point cameras will go directly towards improving road safety," the minister said.
"The NSW government has a responsibility to reduce death and injury on NSW roads by getting motorists to slow down," he said.
Under a package of changes, there will also be increased and larger signage to alert motorists to red-light and speed cameras.
And the public will be given the chance to nominate locations where they think a speed camera should be located.
Within the next two years, the number of intersections with red-light speed cameras will increase from 91 to 200.
In addition, the number of mobile speed camera cars across the state will rise from six to 45. By the middle of next year those cars will operate for 7000 hours a month using about 2500 locations, compared to 930 hours a month at the moment.
But they will also be more generously marked. The government will ensure there are two signs on the approach to mobile speed cameras as opposed to one, and two signs following the camera saying "Your Speed Has Been Checked."
The signs will also double in size.
Mr Gay said he had stopped plans by the previous Labor government to operate mobile speed cameras for 12,500 hours a month.
Coalition MPs repeatedly derided the former government for using speed cameras as revenue raisers.
In response to an Auditor-General's report into speed cameras last year, which found they were not primarily used as revenue raisers, Mr Gay turned off 38 speed cameras.
The minister has already turned one of those cameras back on, at Urunga on the Pacific Highway, and at Epping Gymea and Clunes.
It will now reactivate another three: at Spit Road, the Spit; Eastern Arterial Road at Gordon; and Eastern Valley Way at North Willoughby.
The number of mobile and fixed speed cameras across the state will jump sharply in a major upgrade announced by the NSW government today.
Unveiling the government's new "speed camera strategy", the roads minister, Duncan Gay, revealed the number of locations hosting red-light speed cameras would more than double and there would be a seven-fold increase in the number of hours monitored by mobile speed cameras.
Mr Gay conceded the measures would raise extra revenue, but he said the government would ensure it all went on road safety.
"This government for the first time will ensure money raised from speed, red light and point-to-point cameras will go directly towards improving road safety," the minister said.
"The NSW government has a responsibility to reduce death and injury on NSW roads by getting motorists to slow down," he said.
Under a package of changes, there will also be increased and larger signage to alert motorists to red-light and speed cameras.
And the public will be given the chance to nominate locations where they think a speed camera should be located.
Within the next two years, the number of intersections with red-light speed cameras will increase from 91 to 200.
In addition, the number of mobile speed camera cars across the state will rise from six to 45. By the middle of next year those cars will operate for 7000 hours a month using about 2500 locations, compared to 930 hours a month at the moment.
But they will also be more generously marked. The government will ensure there are two signs on the approach to mobile speed cameras as opposed to one, and two signs following the camera saying "Your Speed Has Been Checked."
The signs will also double in size.
Mr Gay said he had stopped plans by the previous Labor government to operate mobile speed cameras for 12,500 hours a month.
Coalition MPs repeatedly derided the former government for using speed cameras as revenue raisers.
In response to an Auditor-General's report into speed cameras last year, which found they were not primarily used as revenue raisers, Mr Gay turned off 38 speed cameras.
The minister has already turned one of those cameras back on, at Urunga on the Pacific Highway, and at Epping Gymea and Clunes.
It will now reactivate another three: at Spit Road, the Spit; Eastern Arterial Road at Gordon; and Eastern Valley Way at North Willoughby.
No
more speeding tickets -SpeedAlert-Live the free app that protects your
driving license from the risks of unintentional speeding. www.speedalertlive.com
Found this Blog interesting? Please consider sharing.Motoring lobby backs rise in speed camera sites
http://smh.drive.com.au/motoring-lobby-backs-rise-in-speed-camera-sites-20120601-1zn6i.html
THE motoring lobby has endorsed a dramatic increase in the number of speed cameras used across Sydney and NSW.
The Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, outlined a seven-fold increase in mobile speed cameras and a doubling in the number of red-light speed cameras yesterday, but committed all revenue raised to be spent on road safety.
Under the government's speed camera strategy the number of mobile speed camera vehicles in NSW will rise from six to 45. The number of locations which have speed cameras at red lights, previously called safety cameras, will increase from 91 to 200.
Mr Gay, who has cited concerns about cameras being used for revenue raising, said the increase was designed to stop the ''carnage on our roads''.
''This is about saving lives, it is about getting people to slow down,'' the minister said. ''There will be some people that are unhappy but I think, by and large, there will be a lot of people that are happy because finally they've seen a government that's not going to be tricky, that's going to be upfront.''
The policy won the support of the NRMA - which has also been critical of revenue-raising cameras - because of the extra signage that will now alert motorists to the presence of cameras.
The number of intersections using red light speed cameras will rise to 200 by the end of 2014. The signs indicating the presence of these cameras will also change from ''safety camera ahead'' to ''red light speed camera ahead''.
And mobile cameras will now be preceded by two signs alerting motorists on approach.
The signs will be at a distance of 250 metres and 50 metres, and there will be another sign after the camera telling motorists that their speed has been checked.
Mobile cameras have had almost universal success. They led to 25 per cent reductions in road casualties in Victoria and Queensland after they were implemented and, since they were introduced on a small scale to NSW in 2010, they have led to a 19 per cent reduction in fatalities.
The previous Labor government had plans to lift their coverage from 930 hours a month to 12,500 hours a month. Mr Gay's policy will instead lift the coverage to 7000 hours a month.
The chief executive of the NRMA, Tony Stuart, said he supported the policy in part because of the ''extraordinary'' generosity of the warning signs.
''There are very few countries, if any … which actually give warnings,'' he said of mobile cameras. ''Those of our members who do speed from time to time want to make sure there is no entrapment.''
In addition, Mr Gay is also reactivating another three speed cameras he switched off in response to an auditor-general's report last year.
The cameras - at Spit Road, The Spit, Eastern Arterial Road, Gordon, and Eastern Valley Way, North Willoughby - were switched off after the report found insufficient evidence they slowed motorists. A Roads and Maritime Services review recommended they be reactivated.
The Opposition Leader, John Robertson, said the extra cameras were intended to raise money before the state budget.
''These speed cameras aren't about improving road safety, they are about improving the O'Farrell government's budget bottom line,'' he said.
THE motoring lobby has endorsed a dramatic increase in the number of speed cameras used across Sydney and NSW.
The Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, outlined a seven-fold increase in mobile speed cameras and a doubling in the number of red-light speed cameras yesterday, but committed all revenue raised to be spent on road safety.
Under the government's speed camera strategy the number of mobile speed camera vehicles in NSW will rise from six to 45. The number of locations which have speed cameras at red lights, previously called safety cameras, will increase from 91 to 200.
Mr Gay, who has cited concerns about cameras being used for revenue raising, said the increase was designed to stop the ''carnage on our roads''.
''This is about saving lives, it is about getting people to slow down,'' the minister said. ''There will be some people that are unhappy but I think, by and large, there will be a lot of people that are happy because finally they've seen a government that's not going to be tricky, that's going to be upfront.''
The policy won the support of the NRMA - which has also been critical of revenue-raising cameras - because of the extra signage that will now alert motorists to the presence of cameras.
The number of intersections using red light speed cameras will rise to 200 by the end of 2014. The signs indicating the presence of these cameras will also change from ''safety camera ahead'' to ''red light speed camera ahead''.
And mobile cameras will now be preceded by two signs alerting motorists on approach.
The signs will be at a distance of 250 metres and 50 metres, and there will be another sign after the camera telling motorists that their speed has been checked.
Mobile cameras have had almost universal success. They led to 25 per cent reductions in road casualties in Victoria and Queensland after they were implemented and, since they were introduced on a small scale to NSW in 2010, they have led to a 19 per cent reduction in fatalities.
The previous Labor government had plans to lift their coverage from 930 hours a month to 12,500 hours a month. Mr Gay's policy will instead lift the coverage to 7000 hours a month.
The chief executive of the NRMA, Tony Stuart, said he supported the policy in part because of the ''extraordinary'' generosity of the warning signs.
''There are very few countries, if any … which actually give warnings,'' he said of mobile cameras. ''Those of our members who do speed from time to time want to make sure there is no entrapment.''
In addition, Mr Gay is also reactivating another three speed cameras he switched off in response to an auditor-general's report last year.
The cameras - at Spit Road, The Spit, Eastern Arterial Road, Gordon, and Eastern Valley Way, North Willoughby - were switched off after the report found insufficient evidence they slowed motorists. A Roads and Maritime Services review recommended they be reactivated.
The Opposition Leader, John Robertson, said the extra cameras were intended to raise money before the state budget.
''These speed cameras aren't about improving road safety, they are about improving the O'Farrell government's budget bottom line,'' he said.
No
more speeding tickets -SpeedAlert-Live the free app that protects your
driving license from the risks of unintentional speeding. www.speedalertlive.com
Found this Blog interesting? Please consider sharing.Roads minister Duncan Gay announces changes to speed and red light camera operations in NSW
http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national-news/speed-camera-laws-to-change-3341894.html
Speed camera laws to change (01:28)
RAW VISION: Roads minister Duncan Gay announces changes to speed and red light camera operations in NSW.
01/06/12
Speed camera laws to change (01:28)
RAW VISION: Roads minister Duncan Gay announces changes to speed and red light camera operations in NSW.
01/06/12
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Pedestrian death rates rocketing, statistics show
http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/pedestrian-death-rates-rocketing-statistics-show/story-e6freuzi-1226385404043
TWENTY more pedestrians have been killed on NSW roads this year compared with last, in a frightening death toll spike.
Police yesterday revealed the alarming statistics, as they begged motorists to take more care on NSW roads.
On Monday, a 76-year-old man died while crossing the road at Evans Head, on the north coast. Later that day, a man, 85, died when he was hit by a car at Bankstown.
The two deaths brought this year's pedestrian deaths to a total of 166 - 20 above the same period last year.
Until 2011, police said pedestrian fatalities had been averaging in the mid 50s since 2008.
Traffic and highway patrol commander Superintendent Stuart Smith said people must slow down on the roads: "We are sending a clear message to motorists and pedestrians, don't be impatient, pay attention on the road."
TWENTY more pedestrians have been killed on NSW roads this year compared with last, in a frightening death toll spike.
Police yesterday revealed the alarming statistics, as they begged motorists to take more care on NSW roads.
On Monday, a 76-year-old man died while crossing the road at Evans Head, on the north coast. Later that day, a man, 85, died when he was hit by a car at Bankstown.
The two deaths brought this year's pedestrian deaths to a total of 166 - 20 above the same period last year.
Until 2011, police said pedestrian fatalities had been averaging in the mid 50s since 2008.
Traffic and highway patrol commander Superintendent Stuart Smith said people must slow down on the roads: "We are sending a clear message to motorists and pedestrians, don't be impatient, pay attention on the road."
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Safety group rejects speed camera revenue claims
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-04/road-safety-group-rejects-speed-camera-revenue/4050638/?site=&source=rss
VICROADS and Victoria Police are considering cutting speed limits to 30km an hour in school zones and residential areas, after an upper house committee recommended a rethink of speed limits last week.
A report tabled in Parliament recently said lowering speed limits in "appropriate areas" of Victoria should be considered by present or future speed limit reviews, as it would increase safety in built-up areas and could encourage more people to walk and cycle.
Speeds around hospitals and other health centres may also be considered.
Swan Hill College Principal Tim Mahon said the slower the speed limit, the better, especially in places with primary school children who hadn't yet developed good road sense.
"In big schools like ours it can be a bottleneck with parents picking kids up, so I really haven't got an issue with them going to 30km/h," Mr Mahon said.
"It should always be a place of slow traffic around schools due to safety."
He added most people adhered to current speed limits around the school, but conceded it was partly due to speed bumps installed outside the school.
St Mary's Primary School principal Paul Bissinella said a lot of people flout the current school zone speed limits along Murlong Street, and if a further reduction in speed caused drivers consider their speed more often, he would be in favour of the proposal.
"It only takes one to cause an accident and we would hate for that to happen to anyone," Mr Bissinella said.
Some parents from Swan Hill primary school, which has boundary roads with a permanent limit of 40km/h, were not as enthusiastic about the proposed changes.
VICROADS and Victoria Police are considering cutting speed limits to 30km an hour in school zones and residential areas, after an upper house committee recommended a rethink of speed limits last week.
A report tabled in Parliament recently said lowering speed limits in "appropriate areas" of Victoria should be considered by present or future speed limit reviews, as it would increase safety in built-up areas and could encourage more people to walk and cycle.
Speeds around hospitals and other health centres may also be considered.
Swan Hill College Principal Tim Mahon said the slower the speed limit, the better, especially in places with primary school children who hadn't yet developed good road sense.
"In big schools like ours it can be a bottleneck with parents picking kids up, so I really haven't got an issue with them going to 30km/h," Mr Mahon said.
"It should always be a place of slow traffic around schools due to safety."
He added most people adhered to current speed limits around the school, but conceded it was partly due to speed bumps installed outside the school.
St Mary's Primary School principal Paul Bissinella said a lot of people flout the current school zone speed limits along Murlong Street, and if a further reduction in speed caused drivers consider their speed more often, he would be in favour of the proposal.
"It only takes one to cause an accident and we would hate for that to happen to anyone," Mr Bissinella said.
Some parents from Swan Hill primary school, which has boundary roads with a permanent limit of 40km/h, were not as enthusiastic about the proposed changes.
No
more speeding tickets -SpeedAlert-Live the free app that protects your
driving license from the risks of unintentional speeding. www.speedalertlive.com
Found this Blog interesting? Please consider sharing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)