Page 3961 - Week 09 - Thursday, 25 August 2011
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Hindmarsh Drive has been identified as the first location for a point-to-point camera. This was done for the government by an independent consultant. It conducted a detailed site selection analysis, taking into account traffic factors, safety factors, as well as a sensitivity analysis. It ranked Hindmarsh Drive as the highest priority for the implementation of point-to-point cameras. I see that the government is following this independent advice, which I commend.
The layperson will also see why Hindmarsh Drive is a sensible spot. Police crash data reveals that Hindmarsh Drive is particularly perilous. Roads ACT reported that 85 per cent of traffic travels at about 88 kilometres per hour in this 80 kilometres per hour speed zone. Between 2006 and 2010 it was subject to 128 crashes and an average of 17 accidents per year that leave people injured. I understand that the most recent fatality occurring on Hindmarsh Drive was in the first half of last year.
Our goal should be to eliminate or at least reduce the terrible cost that the community suffers because of road accidents. The deaths, injury and mental and emotional anguish caused by road accidents are incredibly sad and painful for families and the community.
The Greens are not interested in politicising the important issue of road safety. Speed camera technology is an issue that is frequently politicised. In New South Wales, the new Liberal government promised to shut down speed cameras as part of its election promises. An Auditor-General’s report in New South Wales identified a number of speed cameras that were not reducing crashes, and the government quickly and loudly shut these down. It cited concerns of the public that cameras were merely revenue raisers. What it did not emphasise, though, was the Auditor-General’s finding:
Overall, speed cameras change driver behaviour and improve road safety.
The Auditor-General concluded that there was no evidence that they were simply revenue raisers. It is also interesting that while some supported the removal of cameras, people living in the vicinity of the removed cameras were very unhappy. They complained that the removal of the cameras reduced safety in their neighbourhoods.
Speed cameras are a political issue also in Victoria. The new government in Victoria has just introduced legislation to create a specific speed camera commissioner for the state.
In this Assembly, I hope that we will make a tripartisan commitment to road safety. The Greens are willing to do this by agreeing in principle to this bill today. I am somewhat surprised by the Liberals’ decision to vote against point-to-point cameras in principle.
In recent years in this Assembly we have made good progress on the issue of road safety. We passed roadside drug testing, for example. We were concerned about the safety of the community and the possibility of drug-affected drivers harming others. The same is true for speeding. We have an onus as law-makers and policymakers to protect people in the community from speeding drivers.
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