New speed cameras seek to reduce deaths and injuries

State Highway 2 in Maramarua is among 33 sites across the country where new safe speed cameras will be placed.

One of five new speed cameras will soon be installed in Counties Manukau in an attempt to reduce speed in high crash zones.

The camera, on Waiuku Rd in Mauku, is among 33 sites across the country where new safe speed cameras will be placed in an effort to drive down mean speeds and related deaths and injuries in these areas.

Operations manager of road policing Inspector Peter McKennie said the sites have been identified as having a high crash risk and a history of fatalities and injury crashes, based on detailed analysis by independent traffic experts.

"We know from international experience that safe speed cameras do have an impact on slowing people down, particularly around the sphere of influence of the camera," McKennie said.

"This is why we are working to place safe speed cameras at this and other sites, to encourage people to reduce their mean speeds, which, when coupled with road safety improvements and other measures, helps to reduce deaths and injuries."

He said police were not interested in camera fines, but only the impact the cameras had in encouraging people to slow down.

"This will also continue to be backed by other measures, such as maintaining a highly visible police presence on high risk routes and other enforcement tools.

"It's quite simple: if people drive at an appropriate and safe speed for the road and the conditions, they'll be in no danger of getting a ticket - or, more importantly, being involved in a crash."

Work to install the first cameras began in early September, with each unit being thoroughly tested before becoming operational.

The new cameras represent the third phase of the $10 million static camera expansion programme announced in July 2013, which is part of the Government's Safer Journeys road safety strategy.

Other police districts that will be getting cameras include three in Auckland City, five in Southern and seven in Waikato and Waitemata.

New fixed speed camera locations:

Old North Rd, Kumeu, Waitemata - Installed and in testing phase
Twin Coast Discovery Highway, Kaiwaka, Northland - Installed and in
testing phase
Tamaki Drive, Parnell, Auckland City
Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough, Auckland City
Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland City
State Highway 2, Pukehina, Bay of Plenty
State Highway 1, Temuka, Canterbury
Leeston Rd, Springston, Canterbury
State Highway 3, Mokoia, Central
State Highway 56, Tiakitahuna, Central
Mahia Rd, Wattle Downs, Counties Manukau
Massey Rd, Mangere, Counties Manukau
Waiuku Rd, Mauku, Counties Manukau
Glenbrook Rd, Kingseat, Counties Manukau
Awhitu Rd, Karioitahi, Counties Manukau
Great North Rd, Kamo, Northland
Southern Motorway, Burnside, Dunedin
King Edward St, South Dunedin
Otatara Rd, New River Ferry, Southern
Maclaggan St, Dunedin Central
Wansbeck St, Oamaru
State Highway 2, Maramarua, Waikato
State Highway 2, Waikino, Waikato
Main Rd, Raglan, Waikato
State Highway 29, Te Poi, Waikato
Otorohanga Rd, Otorohanga, Waikato
State Highway 2, Waihi, Waikato
Te Awamutu-Cambridge Rd, Cambridge, Waikato
Coatesville Riverhead Highway, Coatesville, Waitemata
State Highway 1, Wellsford, Waitemata
State Highway 17, Albany Heights, Waitemata
Great North Rd, Henderson, Waitemata
Twin Coast Discovery Highway, Dome Valley, Waitemata
Rata St, New Lynn, Waitemata
East Coast Rd, Redvale, Waitemata