The last of 35 new road safety cameras has been switched on today, helping reduce road trauma and catching more dodgy drivers.
As part of a $49.4 million investment by the Allan Labor Government, the new red-light and speed camera located at the intersection of Dandenong and Clayton Roads in Clayton will start over the weekend.
Research by the Monash University Accident Research Centre shows a 47 per cent reduction in crashes where speed and red-light road safety cameras are installed.
Speed contributes to approximately one third of all road trauma in Victoria, or around 100 deaths and 2,000 serious injuries every year. Even small increases in vehicle speed can significantly raise the risk of a driver having a crash.
Exceeding the speed limit by just 3km/h increases your risk of being involved in a crash by 25 per cent, and drivers travelling at 65km/h in a 60km/h zone double their risk.
Every dollar received from road safety camera enforcement goes to the Better Roads Victoria Trust, where it is spent on road restoration, surface replacement, bridge strengthening and other improvements.
The Labor Government's second Road Safety Action Plan will invest more than $1.1 billion over the next four years to deliver life-saving road safety infrastructure and strengthen enforcement efforts to reduce road trauma.
The plan includes $350 million of funding for new initiatives to reduce risky and unsafe behaviours, including the extension of the Distracted Driving and Seatbelt Camera Program in some of the highest risk areas on our roads.
As stated by Minister for Police Anthony Carbines
"Road safety cameras have proven to be one of the most effective ways to get motorists to slow down and ultimately reduce serious injuries and save lives."
"It only takes one moment of distraction to turn into tragedy - we need people to heed the advice or they'll risk their life."
As stated by Minister for Road Safety Melissa Horne
"Drivers have a responsibility of not just keeping themselves and others in their car safe, but everyone else using the road too. Every life lost on our roads is avoidable - I urge Victorians to do the right thing on the roads."
As stated by TAC CEO Tracey Slatter
"Road safety cameras, supported with public education, play a critical role in preventing illegal and dangerous driving on our roads."
