ACT Government Safety Camera Program

Quick links:

• Fixed Speed - Only Cameras
• Red Light Cameras
• Mobile Speed Cameras
• Point-to-Point Speed Cameras
• Pay a Speed Camera Fine

Introduction

Speed enforcement by ACT Policing and the Traffic Camera Office is a key element in encouraging motorists to travel at safer speeds. The ACT Safety Camera program uses fixed red light/speed (intersection) and fixed speed (mid-block) cameras, as well as mobile camera vans.

Some 6,480 traffic infringement notices were issued by ACT Policing for speeding offences during 2006. Over the same period, over 27.6 million vehicles were checked and some 38,800 infringement notices were issued by ACT fixed and mobile speed cameras.

The philosophy behind using traffic cameras to improve road safety is to provide a community perception that speeding and running red lights is not worth the risk because of the increased chance of detection.

The Government is not in the business of “revenue raising” from speed cameras. However, if motorists break the law by continuing to drive over the speed limit, they could well find themselves paying the penalty. Only speeding motorists should fear a speed camera.

Types of Cameras

Within the ACT four forms of camera devices are used;

• Fixed red light/speed cameras at intersections
• Fixed speed only cameras at mid – blocks
• Mobile camera vans
• Point-to-point speed cameras.

(see quick links above for more details on these cameras)

Camera Locations

In October 2005, the Government agreed to allow all arterial, major collector and minor collector roads in the ACT to be assessed, and if suitable, designated as traffic camera sites.

Camera locations are regularly reviewed and updated, with roads and sites being added or changed to ensure that the camera program clearly addresses road safety needs.

In selecting specific sites along the designated roads, the following criteria must be taken into consideration:

• Fixed and mobile cameras should not be positioned to detect vehicle speeds within 200 metres of a change in speed zone.
• The positioning of any fixed or mobile cameras must be safe for camera operators (mobile cameras) and members of the public (motorists, cyclists and pedestrians).
• Sites must meet workplace health and safety standards for speed camera operators and units as outlined by the Traffic Camera Office.
• The fixed or mobile camera equipment or vehicle must not be positioned in a way that is likely to cause any obstruction or interruption to the traffic flow.
• Sites for fixed cameras are also subject to power and technical considerations.

School Zones and Road Works

Mobile cameras will not be used to enforce speed restrictions in school zones or areas affected by road works. Police will continue to use interception methods of enforcement at school zones and road work sites as a high priority within the AFP’s traffic enforcement plan.

Fixed cameras will operate during road works but will not take images of motorists at speeds lower than the usual speed limit for that section of road.

Red light images are captured irrespective of speed reductions or road works. Speed reductions due to road works will be enforced by police interception methods.

Speed and Red Light Camera Signage

Large signs displaying the message "Speed and Red Light Cameras used in the ACT" are provided at the border on all major entry roads to the ACT. Further to this, there are some 41 signs on the major arterial roads which carry signs consisting of a “Speed Cameras used in the ACT” with a camera image. These are normally paired with a “50 unless otherwise sign posted” sign.

All locations that operate fixed speed/red light or speed-only cameras have advance warning signage, advising motorists that cameras are in operation at that location.

The red light/speed cameras have signs which carry the messages “Red Light and Speed Camera Ahead” placed on the approaches to the camera intersection.

The mid block cameras use a set of three signs on the approach to the camera site which show “Speed Camera 24 hours” at a 300 to 500 metres distance to the camera, “Speed Camera Ahead” at 150 to 250 metres, and “Heavy Fines Loss of Licence” at 50 to 100 metres to the camera. These signs are of a size similar to that used in NSW, and include a camera symbol and the posted speed limit.

Mobile camera vans display portable signs displaying the posted speed limit for the road and a message "Your speed has been checked". These signs may be placed adjacent to or on the speed camera vehicle.

Fixed and Mobile Camera Accuracy

The legislated degree of accuracy of the cameras speed measuring device is 2 km/h.