How many accidents involving injury or death occurred at each speed camera site before and after the introduction of speed cameras during each of the following years;

(a) 1996/1997

(b) 1997/1998

(c) 1998/1999

(d) 1999/2000

The information sought by Mr Hargreaves is not readily available in the level of detail defined in the Question, and compiling the data requested would involve a significant cost and diversion of staff resources. Nevertheless, some relevant information is contained within my Media Statement of 8 September 1999, a copy of which is attached.

Speed cameras in the ACT are deployed on the basis of a number of road safety considerations at locations according to Urban Services' residential area traffic management criteria. These include speed-related crash history, speed surveys, land use type, traffic volume and levels of heavy vehicle and through traffic. The roads are chosen by a committee on which the NRMA, the AFP and Urban Services are represented.

The Government has committed itself to a full and open evaluation of the speed camera program and ARRB Transport Research, a leading transport consultancy company, is undertaking an independent evaluation of the ACT program. The Government considers that this is the most appropriate method of formally evaluating the road safety effects of speed cameras.

The incidence of crashes is in itself an inadequate measure of the merits of the ACT speed camera program; reducing the speed of traffic involved in accidents is, at this time, a more significant measure since it will reduce the severity of injuries. The ARRB research on the first six months of the program, which analysed 'before and after' speed surveys, showed resounding success in increasing speed limit compliance in this initial period.

National road safety evaluation guidelines require a minimum of twelve months, and ideally two years crash data, to judge the effectiveness of a new program. The next ARRB report, due later next year, will include crash record evaluation, as sufficient data will then be available for analysis in a meaningful way.