More point-to-point speed cameras introduced in Queensland

One of the busiest stretches of motorway near Brisbane is about to be hit with new average-speed camera policing.

Motorists in Queensland will soon need to keep a closer eye on their speedometer with more average-speed cameras due to start issuing tickets from early next year.

Spanning nine kilometres on the north side of Brisbane Airport, the new point-to-point cameras will be installed later this year before become operational from early 2023.

The new stretch of road policed by average-speed cameras will become the third major highway to use the devices in Queensland, since the first one was introduced in the state in 2011.

All Australian states and territories except Tasmania and the Northern Territory have fixed point-to-point speed cameras.

NSW is the only jurisdiction that uses average-speed cameras to target heavy vehicles only; other states use the devices to target cars as well as trucks.

Victoria currently has 10 locations along the Hume Highway and eight locations on the Peninsula Link, combining for a total of 45 cameras.

South Australia lists a total of 36 cameras on roads such as the Port Wakefield Highway, Dukes Highway, Northern Expressway, Victor Harbor Road, Sturt Highway and South Eastern Freeway.

Western Australia is set to soon begin a three-month trial of point-to-point cameras in undisclosed locations, according to WA Today – joining the state’s sole existing cameras along the Forrest Highway.

The Australian Capital Territory has just one average speed camera setup – located on Hindmarsh Drive between Yamba Drive and Dalrymple Street – after the Athllon Drive point-to-point cameras were dismantled in 2017.

New South Wales has 25 average-speed camera locations – and another 11 in the pipeline for the Sydney metropolitan area – however, for now all zones are for the detection of heavy vehicles only.

Located on the Gateway Motorway – also known as the M1 – between Nudgee Road and Deagon Deviation, the three-lane stretch of road will be policed by point-to-point speed cameras in both north and southbound directions (pictured above).

While the Gateway Motorway’s default speed limit is 100km/h, this can be reduced to 60km/h depending on the flow of traffic in either direction.

Signs reminding motorists to check their speed due to the average speed zone have already been installed, however the cameras won’t be activated for another six months or so.

Point-to-point speed cameras have been used in Australia for over a decade.

A representative for Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads said the point-to-point system will help to improve traffic flow, with its location determined through the use of historical crash data.

“Point-to-point speed cameras have been proven to reduce road crashes and improve traffic flow,” a Transport and Main Roads spokesperson told Drive. 

“Motorists should be especially vigilant and drive to conditions within the speed limit on the Gateway Motorway between Nudgee Road and Deagon Deviation.

“Motorists should expect speed limits to be enforced anywhere at any time, regardless of whether a speed camera is visible or where they think cameras operate.

“The point-to-point system is expected to be installed at the end of 2022 and be fully operational and enforceable in the first quarter of 2023. 

“This is part of a program of infrastructure works to improve road safety and compliance.”

Unlike New South Wales where point-to-point cameras are only used to police heavy vehicles, Queensland uses the system for all road users.

“Point-to-point speed camera systems in Queensland enforce the speed limit for all vehicles. These systems encourage compliance by all motorists, which reduces speed differentials, overtaking manoeuvres and the average travelling speed on that section of road,” added the Transport and Main Roads spokesperson.

“Once the system is installed and operational the system will be capable of enforcing speed limits between the two points where the speed limits change.”

The locations of the new point-to-point speed cameras, operating in both north and southbound directions.

The Royal Automotive Club of Queensland (RACQ) says it supports the installation of point-to-point speed cameras in the Sunshine State with Traffic and Safety Engineering Manager, Greg Miszkowycz, saying the club’s members see the point-to-point cameras as the fairest speed enforcement system in use.

“Point-to-point camera systems can be more effective at improving road safety by ensuring drivers obey the speed limit over a longer distance, instead of just slowing as they pass stationary cameras,” said Miszkowycz.

“Our members tell us point-to-point cameras are fairer than other speed enforcement systems like fixed or mobile cameras as they calculate the average speed instead of fining drivers for momentarily exceeding the speed limit.

“Motorists will be made aware of point-to-point cameras through high visibility warning signs on approach. Fines are one deterrent for speeding but notifying motorists of speed cameras is also very effective at changing driver behaviour and improving safety on our roads.”

While the Nudgee Road to Deagon Deviation section of the Gateway Motorway is often at a crawl on weekday afternoons with drivers heading north from the Brisbane city, the RACQ says the point-to-point cameras will play an active role in reducing the state’s road toll.

“Congestion on this section of the Gateway Motorway is mostly northbound during the PM peak, but is relatively free-flowing during off-peak times,” Miszkowycz added.

“The Gateway Motorway is a major thoroughfare for all kinds of motorists, from tourists to commuters and large freight, so crashes on this road can be catastrophic and cause significant delays.

“Already we’ve seen more than 170 people die on Queensland roads this year and we are on track to surpass last year’s road toll.  Speeding is one of the major causes of road fatalities in Queensland and these point-to-point cameras will help manage vehicle speeds over a significant length of this motorway.

“Installing point-to-point cameras is one way we can improve road safety, but it’s not a silver bullet. A higher on-road police presence and road upgrades also need to be prioritised.”

The point-to-point speed cameras on the Gateway Motorway will be the fifth installation in Queensland and the second in Brisbane after a system on Legacy Way between Toowong and Kelvin Grove went live last year.

In addition to this, there are two zones on the Bruce Highway between Landsborough and Elimbah (split by Johnston Road in the Glasshouse Mountains), as well as the Toowoomba Bypass, located between Helidon Spa and Athol.

The post More point-to-point speed cameras introduced in Queensland appeared first on Drive.