"Deep Analysis" - cameras reduce crashes

This appears to be based on a 2003 Muarc report but Des is too busy to play 20 questions.  Actually it was 12 questions and a few comments for background.

The Courier Mail -   Saturday 12 January 2013  - Des Houghton & Transport Minister
QUEENSLAND'S speed camera program prevents at least 1100 fatal and severe injury crashes a year. This is the key finding of a study for the State Government by the Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne.

The report shows the police crackdown on speedsters is working and that new technologies are making it harder for them to escape the long arm of the law. Scientists led by Dr Stuart Newstead and Professor Max Cameron studied all modes of camera-based traffic enforcement - including fixed and mobile speed cameras and red-light cameras - in a typical year.

"It was estimated the camera-detected offence program was associated with an overall 23% reduction in all police-reported crashes and 24 %reduction in fatal and hospitalisation crashes across Queensland in 2008," the report said.

"This represents a saving of over 5700 crashes of all severities and over 1100 fatal and serious injury crashes, translating to savings to the community of nearly $600 million and $450 million respectively."

The results came after a deep analysis of all crash and camera data for at least three and up to five years. Mobile speed cameras are the biggest deterrent to speedsters - and they raise the most revenue. The compelling study shows fixed and mobile speed cameras and red light cameras are here to stay.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson says the study was a comprehensive one and shows the cameras work for the betterment of safe driving. "The figures are very telling. The reality is those cameras are saving lives and preventing injuries."

He says there is "uninformed criticism" - usually on talkback radio - that the cameras are there simply as revenue raisers.             .

"We know for sure they have an important road safety function," Emerson says.

- The cameras will raise $80 million in fines this year.

Hidden cameras in what police describe as covert vehicles caught 107,562 speedsters last year.

Portable devices such as hand-held cameras and speed cameras on tripods caught another 17,551 offenders.

Emerson stresses all of the money from fines is channeled to road safety initiatives.

ends

Melbourne University says Queensland speed cameras saving lives and money

Comment …

Des Houghton has a two page Insight column each Saturday to have a free kick on any issue that catches his interest.

There may be a demarcation dispute as Transport Minister (without a Director General) is moving into Queensland Police "speed cameras will save us" revenue gloating territory. Des is catching up to compete with tip offs and top secret exclusives from Queensland Police to other journalists.

14,000 public servants have been made de-necessary in Queensland, but the LNP has been paying the Transport Director General $10,000 a week for 16 weeks following allegations he may have mislead Parliament.

Queensland Police, RACQ and Brisbane City Council will not release the deliberations of local traffic committees that determine danger spots in their locality for secret deployments.

There is a convoluted process of going through the Transport to uncover very old data about incidents in an area.

Some questions …

Dear Scott and Des,

Great photo. Scott's family will be thrilled.
1. When was the Monash Report completed?

2. How much was contributed by the Government and speed camera promoters?

3. Have you deeply analysed deliberations of the local traffic committees involving RACQ, Police and Council?

4. Did the Monash report include latest devices used in Police publicity stunts including truecam, point to point and gantry cameras?

Consider just 25 of the most recent horrific crashes in Quensland :

5. Why did speed cameras not prevent those tragic incidents?

6. What was learned from the countless hours of investigations into those incidents?

You claim the Minister is stressed revenue from speed cameras goes into road safety. 

7. Why does it bother him?

8. Could you provide a breakdown of Road Safety fund spending over 5 years?

9. What happens to revenue from less profitable offences including inattention, fatigue, mobile phone use, drunk and drug driving, ignoring road rules?

(I understand it goes into consolidated revenue, the reason Police prefer speed camera infringements.)

10.  Please explain how a secret camera prevents a fatal crash or severe injury crash?

11. You say speed cameras have an important road safety function because they raise $80 million. Why is revenue raising the priority?

It becomes a form of entrapment when you know there are hotspots but continue to bait motorists to raise revenue but not solve the problem - determining the most appropriate speed limit, visible police presence, adequate on road speed legends. 

Police gloating about revenue is offensive when they have not taken action to change the behavior of motorists in continuing high revenue locations.

12. What evidence is there to confirm Police set up secret speed cameras in the areas that really are trouble spots – identified by road trauma?

Identifying camera locations on the basis of revenue that can be raised is despicable. 

Putting the public and Police officers at risk at dangerous locations is wrong.

There are so many practical ways the community can be educated and be on side.

Being sneaky with speed cameras is not high on that list.

A “hoon hotline” trivializes the involvement of motorists concerned about behavior they see and experience in the community.

An increased visible police presence interacting with motorists should be the priority.

Regards

Phillip Young

47 Cornflower St

Mansfield 4122