Safe Speed Forums

The potential flaws in the controversial cameras -- which took $104 million in speeding fines from Victorian motorists last year -- are detailed in a confidential police rule book.
The 50-page Speed Camera Policy and Operations Manual also identifies a major operational weakness in the cameras, which monitor multi-lane roads

VICTORIAN drivers have been banned from the road because of wrongly issued speeding fines, says a former speed camera operator.

Graeme Marr, 41, of Meadow Heights, said driving licences had been suspended and cancelled as a result of the incorrect tickets.
He said problems caused by reflected radar beams were "rife in camera operations".

Police deny speed camera flaw claims

By Jesse Hogan and Rachel Kleinman
August 4, 2005 - 1:46PM


Claims that drivers are being incorrectly fined by police because of a flaw in mobile speed cameras are wrong, Victoria's top traffic cop said today.

Victoria Police's Speed Camera Policy and Operations Manual advises camera operators not to set up cameras in areas with reflective objects, such as metal signs and post boxes, as they may affect the reading.

But Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) Bob Hastings said a so-called secret report, featured in the Herald Sun, was not secret at all.

"That document's been in existence ever since the traffic camera program started some 14 years ago, so there's no secret to it," he told theage.com.au.

"It tells people what's expected of them, what are the processes they must go through to make sure that what they do is fair, legal, legitimate and correct."

Mr Hastings conceded that speed camera readings may be affected by reflective objects, but said stringent tests are undertaken to ensure no motorists are unjustly fined.

"Each time an operator goes out and sets up at one of these sites they also go through a checking process to make sure that there's no interference to the radar," he said.

"When the images come back from any session that's been conducted they're also verified, so they're a number of interventions along the way to check that there's been no interference with the operation.

"If we find that there's something there that isn't quite right then we don't proceed - that's always been our policy."

Other guidelines include only settings up camera on straight stretches of road and not within 200 metres of a different speed limit zone. Operators are ordered not to conceal cameras behind trees, signs and other objects to trap speeding motorists.

Mr Hastings said all sites used by speed camera operators must be accredited and are selected for safety reasons, not financial reasons.

"They must have a demonstrated high-collision and high-trauma risk, or evidence of speed or complaints of speed, and then we assess the site as to its suitability to put a camera there."

He said publication of details of the police document "would not change a thing".

"Clearly we're always looking at improving the way we do our business and we're looking at continued technologies, but we're also looking at having confidence in the certification and the accuracy of the cameras. All of those things are ongoing."

Meanwhile, a former speed camera operator appeared in court this morning to testify that drivers have been issued wrongly with speeding fines because of radar bouncing off reflective objects, such as parked cars.

Graeme Marr, 41, told Broadmeadows Magistrates Court that he refused to operate cameras at some sites while he was employed by Tenix Security for four months last year.

Mr Marr was testifying on behalf of his friend, Glenn Hilburn, who was contesting a speeding fine he received in Oak Park last year.

Mr Marr told the court he had refused to operate speed cameras at that site on two occasions because he thought it was unsuitable.

Magistrate Ann Collins adjourned the hearing but is expected to deliver a verdict today.

- theage.com.au