Speed cameras unleashed

By KEVIN TAYLOR political reporter

The Government is axing speed camera zones and signs, to catch speeding drivers "anywhere, anytime" under a new road safety package.

The new measure will come into force in the first quarter of next year. Police are planning a public information campaign.

Police Minister George Hawkins said yesterday the change was aimed at ensuring drivers kept within speed limits, but there would be no hidden speed cameras.

"This isn't anything to do with revenue, it's about road safety."

Mr Hawkins and Transport Minister Paul Swain yesterday announced a road safety enforcement package that is weaker than Mr Swain had wanted.

Among the measures he failed to get through Cabinet is one lowering the blood alcohol limit from 80mgs per 100mls of blood to 50mgs.

Instead the package targets repeat drink-drivers with roadside licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.

The Government has also agreed in principle to a new offence of being "impaired" by illicit drugs while in control of a vehicle - a tougher test than currently, where it is an offence to be "incapable of proper control".

However, further technical work has to be done on the issue, and police and transport officials will report to the Government by May on how it will be implemented.

Most of the package except the "anywhere, anytime" speed cameras needs legislation, which will be introduced in the new year.

Mr Swain trumpeted the package as the toughest set of road safety measures to be announced for many years, but admitted the Cabinet had rejected some of what he had wanted.

That included lowering the blood alcohol limit, he said, because it had been clear there was not widespread support for it. There will also be no hidden speed cameras, no demerit points on speed camera fines, and no change to the 10km/h tolerance for speeding infringements.

The tougher drink-driving rules apply to drivers caught within four years of an initial drink-driving conviction. Following a positive roadside test police can revoke the driver's licence for 28 days.

If a driver is found by roadside test to be over the limit a second time within four years of the first conviction, their vehicle will be impounded for 28 days and they will have to resit and pass the practical driving test.

The Government is also lowering the limit for roadside suspension for speeding from 50km/h above the speed limit to 40km/h, and lowering the alcohol limit for immediate 28-day licence suspension from 160mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood to 130mgs.

National Party police spokesman Tony Ryall labelled the package the "most embarrassing backdown of the year".

"Paul Swain calls it a crackdown. It's a backdown - and a major one at that."

He said Mr Swain had staked his reputation on a raft of measures to crack down on speeding and drink- driving. But plans to lower the blood alcohol limit, introduce hidden speed cameras, lower speed camera tolerance levels and demerit points had all been abandoned.

Road safety package

* Drivers will get no warning of a speed camera. Signs and zones will be removed in the first quarter of next year. No hidden cameras.

* If within four years of being convicted of drink-driving a driver is found over the limit through a roadside test, police can instantly revoke their licence for 28 days.

* If a driver is found a second time by roadside test over the limit their vehicle will be impounded for 28 days and they will have to resit and pass the practical driving test.

* A new offence of being impaired by illicit drugs while in control of a vehicle will be introduced.

Herald Feature: Road safety