13-11-03, 08:18 GMT+10#1
The guys in melbourne migh tbe interested in the article below. It was on the news this morning and front page of www.news.com.au (http://www.news.com.au).
Speeders to get their money back
By Mark Buttler
November 13, 2003
DRIVERS caught by dud speed cameras will have their penalties overturned after senior police stepped into the fiasco yesterday.
Those who have lost their licence or paid fines will get them back if new testing proves they were booked for false readings as far back as May this year. Demerit points acquired through these cameras will be cancelled.
A third malfunctioning camera was detected yesterday, further escalating the crisis.
Police declared no fines generated by 47 fixed speed cameras in Melbourne would be issued for up to six weeks as testing continues.
The network of dual purpose red-light/speed cameras installed at danger intersections will not be part of the moratorium.
Total fines thrown out could reach as high as $20 million by Christmas as they are checked case by case.
The latest faulty camera was found on the Western Ring Rd.
In recent weeks tests found a camera in the Burnley tunnel and another on the Western Ring Rd had wrongly booked motorists at up to 94km/h over the speed limit since May.
The Herald Sun revealed this week that up to $8.5 million in fines was already in limbo because of problems with the cameras, which rake in an estimated $2 million a week.
That figure could blow out by more than $10 million depending on results in the next six weeks and the possible back-dated withdrawal of fines from at least two sites.
But Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Ferguson said the cameras would continue tosnap drivers.
They would receive tickets if testing showed they were booked by accurate cameras, Mr Ferguson said.
"This decision will not give motorists a licence to speed,"he said.
Police Minister Andre Haermeyer denied the decision to withhold fines was taken because of political pressure.
He said it was about giving drivers confidence in the camera system and warned motorists it was not a green light to speed in coming weeks.
"Anyone who thinks they can go and speed on those roads will be sorely mistaken because those cameras will continue to operate and there will be added presence from both police and mobile speed cameras on those roads," he said.
In July, a 30-year-old Datsun 120Y was clocked at 158km/h on the Western Ring Rd.
On October 23, a truck was snapped at 174km/h going uphill in the Burnley Tunnel.
Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said Mr Haermeyer's future was on the line.
"What absolute chaos we have today," he said.
"This is something Andre Haermeyer denied was a problem a couple of weeks ago. We now have to say to Steve Bracks: 'If he doesn't resign, sack him'."
Mr Doyle said he wondered how drivers could possibly have confidence in any ticket issued against them.
"In their haste to rake in millions of dollars, they have sacrificed accuracy and reliability," he said.
Federal Transport Minister John Anderson said incorrect readings by speed cameras were having severe consequences.
"It is not good enough to say that the technology occasionally isn't up to scratch," he said.
"When you are talking about charging people with serious offences it has got to be up to scratch otherwise motorists must be given the benefit of the doubt.
"They feel that a lot of these cameras have more to do with revenue raising than they have to do with safety. That is dangerous.
"Breeding cynicism about the real motives of government in something as sensitive as speed and road safety is not wise."
The RACV said the revelation of a third faulty camera would seriously erode motorists' faith in the network.
Spokesman Dr Ken Ogden said the moratorium decision was sensible, but should be matched by a commitment to reassure the public that the system was reliable.
"Speed enforcement in Victoria is in crisis and the motoring public must receive the benefit of the doubt as far as fines are concerned," Dr Ogden said.
He said speed cameras should be checked every six months amid public concern they were primarily used to raise revenue.
It is not known whether the troubles will delay fixed speed cameras due to start operating on the West Gate Bridge this month.
Speed camera contractor Tenix Solutions yesterday declined to comment.
Herald Sun
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