Covert Speed Cameras
The Victorian Government has announced that from last night speed camera operators can hide themselves, their cars and their equipment to catch speeding motorists. This is in addition to the fact that most of the camera equipped cars are unmarked. It also recognises the fact that the operators already do this anyway.
Remember too that many, if not most of the operators are in fact employed by corporations who are required to make a profit for their shareholders. Such profits arise from commission paid by the Government for each motorist entrapped by their equiplent.
To avoid outcry, the announcement made reference to the Commissioner for Speed Camera (Revenue) to attempt to appear “independent”. This is the same independent Commissioner who examined 116 complaints from the public about placement of cameras breaching the previous guidelines. He found in favour of the camera operator in every case. To be absolutely fair, he did find that the camera positions were in breach of the rules in 3 cases, but then decided that there were valid reasons for the breaches. He might be independent – but it’s a bit hard to see it!
Now for the funny part. The announcement then went on to claim that the move is required to protect mobile speed camera operators from “intimidation or threat in their workplace”. Official statistics reveal that none of the operators of the 100+ mobile cameras have actually been harmed in the course of their duties and that there have been a staggering 110 incidents where motorists have swerved towards the vehicle containing the operator and his gear. That’s about once in every 700 shifts.
In fact, given that nearly 85% of speeding tickets in Victoria are issued to drivers travelling less than 5 kph over the limit, coupled with the removal of restrictions on placing cameras at the bottom of hills, it would not be unreasonable to estimate that the additional annual revenue to the Government could be in exccess of $15 million.
Do you think it is reasonable to trust the decisions of a Government with such a vested interest in the outcome? I don’t.
And if you think I’m paranoid just remember that:
- in NSW every speed camera is in full view and required to be signposted twice before you pass it; and
- in South Australia the open road speed limit is 110 kph a full 10 kph higher than in Victoria
By the apparent standards of the Victorian Government politicians in those states must be little short of mass murderers. You and I both know that this is not so. The truth is that the Victorian Government is addicted to the revenue raised by its so called safety cameras. And it will use any means possible to protect that revenue.
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