Police to lower boom on speed

By JASON COLLIE transport reporter

Police are getting tough on speeding in a move which could produce an extra 165,000 tickets each year - and an extra $20 million for the Government.

From next month, anyone caught exceeding the speed limit by 10 km/h or more will get a ticket.

Speed cameras are now set to an international system called the 85th percentile. Speeds past each camera are averaged, and any driver in the top 15 per cent of speedsters is ticketed.

Police national road safety manager Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald believes the change could raise the number of tickets issued from 330,000 to 495,000 a year.

That would produce between $17 million and $20 million a year more for the Government.

But Transport Minister Mark Gosche and Mr Fitzgerald say the crackdown - part of the Government's $152 million road safety plan - is aimed at reducing the road toll rather than adding to Treasury coffers.

Mr Fitzgerald hoped the change would lead to a quick change in drivers' speeds, but said it was expected the number of tickets could rise by 50 per cent.

"We would think there will be some quick reductions, but some motorists still see it as a game," he said.

"If people wish to give their money to the Government, that's fine."

People over the new 10 km/h limit could expect a ticket whether they are were stopped by an officer or caught on camera.

Mr Fitzgerald said that he was happy to scrap plans for hidden speed cameras in favour of the new threshold and plans for a specialised highway patrol.

Mr Gosche doubted the plan would produce a "substantial" increase in fines revenue, and said he had to convince finance ministers that it would not cause more work and cost for the courts and the Justice Department.

"There could be an increase, but it's not the reason for our decision. It's designed to make people slow down and survive on the roads."

The number of tickets issued has risen in the past year. Just over $26 million was collected in the 1998-99 financial year; the 1999-2000 year has produced $31.1 million.

Automobile Association secretary-general George Fairbairn said drivers would have a greater understanding of a 10 km/h cut-off point, but he believed the focus should remain on excessive speeders.

He was also concerned that 10 km/h above the highway speed of 100 km/h was proportionately less than it was for the 50 km/h limit in built-up areas.

"We want a safer roading environment and people need to know not to speed," he said. "But the emphasis of resources needs to be on those who are blatantly offending."

Police have 31 mobile speed cameras, and another 13 which are moved between 52 fixed sites.