Selfish drivers are on notice ahead of the reactivation of a fixed speed camera to protect motorists and hold irresponsible drivers to account for their life-risking behaviour.
The mid-block fixed speed camera situated on Frederick Road at Royal Park – near the intersection of Royal Terrace – will again become operational in coming weeks following a significant onsite survey that assessed driver behaviour.
The Frederick Road speed camera was decommissioned on 17 January 2019 following an extensive audit of cameras – a Marshall Liberal Government 2018 election promise – across Adelaide.
That camera, and one other, was decommissioned for an initial 12-month trial, based on good driving behaviour in the areas, but extended for an additional year due to COVID-19.
During this period the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) performed periodic traffic surveys on Frederick Road to measure any changes in driver speeding behaviour.
The data revealed for southbound traffic:
- Vehicles speeding by more than 10km/h increased from 29 vehicles per week to 262 vehicles per week.
- The number of vehicles travelling at more than 20km/h above the limit increased from nine vehicles per week to 51 vehicles per week.
Thankfully, no lives were lost or serious injuries occurred on the 2.3km stretch of Frederick Road – between Old Port Road and West Lakes Boulevard – during the trial.
Minister for Road Safety, Vincent Tarzia, described the survey results as “bitterly disappointing”.
“These statistics are a slap in the face,” Minister Tarzia said.
“This camera underwent the trial because well-behaved drivers previously travelled through the area. This allowed us to implement cameras in other strategic locations to boost road safety.
“Motorists were more than aware the camera had been decommissioned and it appears some idiots have seen this as an opportunity to treat our roads like a racetrack.
“I am frustrated but have no doubt the reactivation of this camera will force drivers to pull their heads in.
“No excuse makes this dangerous behaviour okay. Tragically 28 lives lost this year have been attributed to speeding.
“Fixed speed cameras maximise road safety and it’s crucial we have them operating across the state to protect motorists.”
The second camera – on Glover Avenue, Adelaide – will remain off on a further trial period after no significant change in driver behaviour was detected.
“We are always reviewing our methods and decisions to enhance road safety. We will continue to look at the data, consider the expert advice and respond accordingly. These cameras do not operate to raise revenue. They operate to save lives by deterring bad road behaviour and it works,” Minister Tarzia said.
Following the speed camera audit in 2019, the Marshall Government announced 10 new red light and speed cameras across metropolitan Adelaide to crackdown on reckless drivers.
