Installation of 33 new speed cameras across NZ under way

NZ Herald

18 Oct, 2017 12:59 AM3 mins to read

A speed camera in Rotorua. Police say the installation of 33 new speed cameras at high rish crash sites across the country is under way. Photo / Stephen Parker.

New safe speed cameras are being installed in high crash risk areas across the country.

The cameras are being installed in an effort to drive down speeds and related deaths and injuries, police said.

Site works for the 33 sites were announced in May this year, and represent the third phase of the $10 million static camera expansion programme announced in July 2013.

Operations manager road policing, Inspector Peter McKennie, said it was not about police collecting speeding fines, but safety for motorists.

"We're only interested in the impact the cameras have in encouraging people to slow down to safe and appropriate speeds and get to their destination safely."

McKennie said international evidence showed that safe speed cameras do have an impact on slowing people down, particularly around the camera site.

For that reason the high crash risk sites had been chosen.

The use of the cameras would be combined with other road safety initiatives such as maintaining a highly visible police presence on high risk routes and other enforcement tools.

"It's quite simple. If people drive at an appropriate and safe speed for the road and conditions, they'll be in no danger of getting a ticket - or more importantly being involved in a crash," McKennie said.

Placement of the poles and cameras had begun at the 33 sites identified as having a history of fatalities and injury crashes, based on detailed analysis by independent traffic experts.

Work to install the first poles began in early September.

The cameras will be installed after that and once in place, they will be thoroughly tested before becoming operational, McKennie said.

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