A recently installed speed camera on a busy Bay of Plenty highway has ticked up $30,000 worth of fines in its first month of operation.
Data released by police showed the fixed speed camera between Waitahanui Lane and Otamarakau Valley road issued 264 fines totalling $29,110 in June 2018.
While the figure is a drop in the bucket compared to the whopping $4.6 million in issued speeding tickets for June 2018 alone, drivers speeding and driver behaviour is becoming an issue in the Bay of Plenty region.
Fatal crashes and serious accidents have become a major issue along State Highway 2.
Three people lost their lives in two crashes in one week recently.
Steven hart died in a three car crash on SH2, south of Katikati, on Monday September 10.
This was followed by a double fatal crash on SH2, near Pukehina, on Thursday September 17.
Thirty-five-year-old Christopher Roughton and 28-year-old Anna-Jo Liddell, both of Whakatane, died when their vehicle collided with a logging truck.
Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Mark Pakes says speed cameras were being installed in an effort to drive down speeds and prevent deaths.
"If you crash, regardless of the cause or who is at fault, speed is the single factor that most affects the outcome.
"All camera sites are identified as having a high crash risk, based on detailed analysis by independent traffic experts, including where there is a history of fatalities and injury crashes."
"Encouraging drivers to reduce their speed helps to reduce unnecessary deaths and injuries."
-Additonal reporting by Stuff.co.nz
6 comments
Hahaha
Posted on 28-09-2018 08:09 | By Slim Shady
It’s an idiot tax. Plain and simple.
Click Bait
Posted on 28-09-2018 08:52 | By MrGPz
Only the first two paragraphs are about the speed camera at Otamarakau, the rest of the article is about Tauranga Katikati. Why add this into the article when there is already enough press about the Katikati road. BTW, the Otamarakau speed camera is situated in a very high accident area, where it should be
Fix the drivers
Posted on 28-09-2018 09:00 | By Glencora
So, $30k worth of speeding fines in one month on a road that is notorious for crashes. But somehow it is the road's fault. Yet the road hasn't changed. The drivers have changed. Perhaps if everybody took responsibility for themselves and their passengers every time they got behind the wheel, drove to the conditions, paid attention, and slowed down to a reasonable speed? Do you think that might work? I know that road, I drive there all the time. No issues. Because I am aware of the potential hazards and I drive accordingly to the conditions. My sympathy is not with the people who cause the crashes, but with the sympathy of the other people caught up in them. More care people - slow down and pay attention!
Driver concentration
Posted on 28-09-2018 09:21 | By tia
You are totally correct 'Glencora'. Lack of concentration, too much speed and perhaps add cell phone/texting to the mix. Roads haven't changed but driver impatience and attitude have. The past couple of months have been abysmal in regards to crashes and deaths so cameras can only assist in reducing the road carnage.
revenue collecting
Posted on 28-09-2018 11:52 | By hapukafin
A classic example of revenue collecting.If NZTA and Government was really interested in road safety they have the Police visible and present at these points.Anything hidden or without warning of cameras is equivalent to spying and trapping someone.Not all accidents are caused buy speeding,if it is the case then every driver that sped should have crashed.Educating drivers to drive more responsibly and being more thoroughly tested for licenses should be a priority before being allowed on the road.How hard is it to know the road condition and stay on your side on the road?
Revenue collecting
Posted on 28-09-2018 13:45 | By normal local
That's great revenue collecting. Unfortunately I doubt it will prevent many accidents.
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