10 speed cameras churn out 60,000 fines

The 10 busiest speed camera sites in the country churned out almost 60,000 fines in the past financial year, but police say the number is falling as motorists heed the call to slow down.

National Party law and order spokesman Simon Power is calling for police to assure drivers speed cameras are being used on dangerous roads and not simply for revenue gathering.

The top 10 cameras were in mainly urban areas with high traffic volumes.

Mr Power said he would be seeking information on the crash rates at the locations and the amount of fines the cameras had generated.

"Speed cameras should be in accident black spots in order to encourage sensible driving practices in dangerous areas.

"Labour's reputation when it comes to ticketing has been on quantity, not quality. But we need to concentrate on quality by targeting the right areas if we are to bring the road toll down," he said.

Superintendent Dave Cliff, in charge of road policing, said cameras were placed at locations with a history of speed-related crashes or where speeding was a problem.

The locations were decided in consultation with the Automobile Association, Land Transport and local councils, he said.

Figures released to Mr Power by police show the usual suspects among the busiest camera locations, including the Mt Wellington Highway, Ellerslie-Panmure Highway, and Pah Rd in Auckland.

Police said the number of speed camera fines was declining, with a total of 493,505 fines issued in 2003 compared with 467,787 fines in 2004 and 382,276 fines in 2005.

Police will introduce speed camera zones around schools as part of a February campaign when children return to school.

Top 10 sites

1: Mt Wellington Highway, Auckland
8786 fines from 13,968 photos.

2: Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch
8014 fines from 15,032 photos.

3: Hobsonville Rd, Hobsonville
6216 fines from 12,639 photos.

4: Ellerslie-Panmure, Mt Wellington
6198 fines from 8698 photos.

5: State Highway 1, Cambridge
5727 fines from 8519 photos.

6: Great South Rd, Penrose
5685 fines from 9096 photos.

7: Onewa Rd, Birkenhead
5405 fines from 7366 photos.

8: Parrs Cross Rd, Henderson
4516 fines from 6621 photos.

9: Taradale Rd, Onekawa
4471 fines from 6352 photos.

10: Pah Rd, Royal Oak
4347 fines from 6063 photos.