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.



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