A review of the downtimes of road safety cameras across Victoria has found the broken time may have resulted in missing about 700,000 speed and red light infringements from 1 July 2017 to 31 December 2019.
In his report, Road Safety Camera Program – Downtime Review, Road Safety Camera Commissioner Stephen Leane says the review found the fixed camera system experienced downtime for about 18.45 per cent of available site days during the survey period.
“Approximately 80 per cent of this downtime was classified as ‘long-term’,” Mr Leane said.
“This may have resulted in the failure to detect approximately 700,000 infringements,” he said.
Mr Leane said the management of fixed camera sites improved over the survey period.
“However, some issues remain unresolved, particularly around road works, where there is insufficient consideration of speed management and enforcement at locations where cameras have been deactivated,” he said.
“The review also identified opportunities to improve the administration of the system, system upgrades and certification activities.”
He said some camera sites remained deactivated after road works at the locations were completed.
“This suggests that there are opportunities for the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) to improve the management of existing long-term deactivations through better planning, stakeholder engagement and governance.”
Mr Leane made 14 recommendations to DCJS and the Department of Transport aimed at improving data, audit oversight and management; existing long-term deactivated sites; future sites; and major road works.
The Commissioner’s 13-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
