Speed camera fines net $28m

Catching drivers going 10km/h or more over the speed limit added $28 million to Government coffers last year.

Before last year, only the top 15 per cent of speeding drivers were given tickets. But speed cameras were reset at the start of last year to photograph anyone travelling more than 10km/h over the limit.



In 2001, $38,477,485 was collected in fines from fixed speed cameras and $34,169,590 in 2000.

A British study showed that the introduction of speed cameras in London cut average speeds by 5km/h and crashes by 20 per cent.

Land Transport Safety Authority spokesman Dennis Robertson said national surveys showed average speed had dropped by 4km/h in some areas since the camera settings were changed. On the open road, the average speed had dropped from 104.2km/h to 102km/h.

The $28 million netted by the Government last year through speed camera fines does not include unpaid fines, according to information released by Police Minister George Hawkins in response to a question from Act MP Deborah Coddington.

Ms Coddington said the cameras were a revenue-gathering exercise. The money went into the consolidated fund.

"It is not used for road safety or road construction to improve safety. If it was applied to fighting crime there might be a bit less crime in this country and fewer drunk drivers."

- NZPA