Average-speed safety cameras will soon be switched on across parts of Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

In late April, a new set of cameras is expected to become operational on State Highway 2 east of Pōkeno in Waikato, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said in a Facebook post.

Two additional sets are planned for activation in May across the Bay of Plenty – one on State Highway 5 just south of Rotorua, and another on State Highway 2 west of Matatā near Whakatāne.

Unlike traditional speed cameras that capture a vehicle’s speed at a single point, average-speed safety cameras measure how long it takes a vehicle to travel between two or more cameras installed along a stretch of road, NZTA said.

“The system records the time a vehicle passes the first camera and the time it passes the next, calculating the average speed over the distance travelled.

“Drivers whose average speed exceeds the posted speed limit can expect to receive a fine.”

NZTA said the aim was not to catch drivers out, but to reduce the number of people travelling over the speed limit and to lower the risk of serious or fatal crashes.

The roading agency said clear signage would be installed before each camera zone, alerting drivers well in advance that average-speed cameras are in use.

Drivers who maintained speeds at or below the limit would not be fined.

More information about the safety cameras, how speeds are calculated, and how locations are chosen is available on the NZTA Waka Kotahi website.