Independent views By Brendan Horan

It will come as little surprise to drivers who've been pulled over by traffic police that they recall these events with greater clarity than when they've received a speeding ticket from covert roadside cameras.

For many, this latter form of enforcement infringement is viewed as an inevitable driving consequence, as most cameras are sighted in locations where speeding is more an outcome of the road environment than the driver's intent. It is easy to understand why most see this form of traffic control as revenue raising, rather than changing driver behaviours.

For those who've studied the psychology of driver behaviours, this comes as no surprise because there is an abundance of research demonstrating the most effective form of enforcement is live, visible policing. The Minister herself is aware of this; and to her credit, is trialling new bright colourful police vehicles on our roads this summer.

Waikato University research shows road design can both encourage and discourage speeding. Where the perception is an enclosed road environment, such as Fitzgerald Glade on the Kaimai Ranges, we slow down. Open spaces like Maunganui Rd encourage speed; and it is in these spaces we find speed/safety cameras.

The stated purpose of Safety Cameras is to: (a) reduce the numbers of people killed on NZ roads; and (b) to promote a culture of speed limit compliance by providing a visible and effective deterrent.

Given current research in safety/speed camera effectiveness or lack thereof, I've lodged a Private Members Bill to visualise the use of safety/speed cameras. This bill requires every fixed camera, when in use, be clearly visible to all road users; and that information signs signalling the speed limit be in place, and the word safety/speed camera ahead is notified well in advance.

In respect to mobile safety cameras, I seek to have all cameras operated from within a vehicle (not a policeman hiding behind a bush). Plus, that the vehicle used is marked distinctively as a ‘safety camera vehicle' and must be visible to drivers from a distance of at least 100 metres.

I believe my bill is in accordance with current research and the Government's stated use. Current camera practices, in my view, do not promote driving behaviours that encourage speed limit compliance, as they fail to provide the essential visible deterrent. The first instance that many may know they have broken the speed limit is a letter in the post; and this tends to generate anger at the system rather than a lesson learned. More importantly, it fails to bring down speed in that area. A camera that dishes out multiple tickets is failing its purpose.

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