The Transport and Main Roads Department is introducing new speed camera technology to school zones and at roadworks in an effort to deter speeding drivers.
The world-first road-safety initiative has been announced to coincide with Road Safety Week that runs until Friday (26 August). However, the new cameras will not go live until next month.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey said he did not want to see another road-worker killed or someone’s child badly injured on their way to school, just because of the recklessness of a speeding driver.
“These cameras will pop up in high-risk locations next month so I am giving Queenslanders fair warning that these can be anywhere, anytime,” Mr Bailey said.
“It’s vital we do everything we can to keep the vulnerable in our community safe on our roads and these cameras will help to achieve that.”
He said the initiative reflected the theme of this year’s Queensland Road Safety Week — Road Safety Starts With Me — highlighting that every road user had a role to play in keeping themselves and others safe.
“For the eighth year, we’re partnering with Queensland Police Service to celebrate the many ways Queenslanders can help to make our roads safer every day,” Mr Bailey said.
“Every day, across the road network, yellow is used for safety reminders, such as our warning signs, high-visibility workwear and even our learner driver plates.”
As a result, he was asking Queenslanders to show their support for road safety by wearing an item of yellow clothing, hosting a yellow event, or sharing a safety message on social media.
Police Superintendent Janelle Andrews said speeding was one of the leading causes of fatalities and serious injuries on Queensland’s roads.
“During 2021 there were 74 fatalities as the result of crashes involving speeding motorists, representing almost 27 per cent of Queensland road fatalities. Thousands more road users are seriously injured in crashes,” Superintendent Andrews said.
“Speed kills and there is no apology for enforcing speed limits in school zones and roadworks sites.”
