Visible highway patrols are more effective in reducing the road toll than speed cameras, according to a recent NRMA motorist survey. The survey highlighted mobile phone use (77 percent) and drink driving (75 percent) as the two greatest concerns for motorists surveyed - both of which can only be policed by patrolling officers.Just 10 percent nominated fixed, mobile, red-light, or safety cameras as the best option.
Similarly, 66 percent of motorists surveyed nominated on-the-spot fines or warnings as having the greatest influence on their driving behaviour, compared with 13 percent suggesting the same for cameras.The survey also suggested that a visible police presence encourages 83 percent of motorists to slow down, while 60 percent are more conscious of using their mobile phone, and 73 percent are more conscious of their driving behaviour.
"While fixed, mobile and red light/speed cameras have a role to play in keeping the roads safe it is clear that the community wants more police on our roads and we urge the NSW Government continue with an aggressive recruitment of more officers and more cars", Machin added.
A recent Queensland trial of expanded police patrolling that resulted in a 15 percent reduction of fatal crashes. If such patrolling could be replicated across NSW, the NRMA estimates that 55 lives and $180 million economic cost could be saved annually, while police response times could be cut by two-thirds.
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