Melody Teh
Domestic Travel

Revealed: The secret speed cameras catching you out

Speed cameras placed inside unmarked vehicles at thousands of locations across the nation have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for the government.

The vehicles of choice include old model four-wheel-drives, vans and station wagons to catch motorists speeding.

Photos show unmarked vehicles with tinted windows and loaded with “traffic enforcement products” at the back of cars. The tailgate is dropped, meaning the cameras are concealed to oncoming vehicles.  

Rear-facing mobile speed cameras have also been introduced, meaning motorcycles which only have number plates at the back can be detected. 

More than 3,500 mobile speed camera sites are in operation in Queensland, a further 2,000 in Victoria and 1,000 in New South Wales.

Last year, the New South Wales government renewed a five-year contract to third party camera operator Redflex, as part of its expanded mobile enforcement program.

The NSW government introduced 384 new mobile speed camera locations in 2017 at 'high-risk' locations.

Redflex boasts “unmatched detection accuracy” across six lanes of traffic.

More than $65million in revenue is expected be generated by Redflex over their five year contract, Finance News Network report.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said: “Our mobile speed cameras are the most obvious in the country, with clearly marked signage and high visibility fluorescent markings on the camera vehicles. 

“Mobile speed cameras are extremely effective as they produce a sustained change in driver behaviour by increasing the real and perceived likelihood that they can be caught anywhere and anytime.

“This approach has been proven to be effective, with more than 99 per cent of vehicles consistently passing mobile speed cameras without being fined. Those who continue to do the wrong thing will be penalised.”

Tags:
travel, travel domestic, Road rules, Speeding, Mobile speed cameras