Speed camera review delivers a fine result for motorists

Victoria Police has decided to withdraw some of the controversial speeding fines issued in Frankston after an investigation by the Road Safety Camera Commissioner and a flood of complaints. The decision will apply to infringement notices issued between April 15 and June 16 for driving up to 60km/h at the intersection of Nepean Highway and Davey St. In a report released last month, the Commissioner found some motorists were not aware that the speed limit southbound through the intersection had been reduced to 40km/h.

The investigation into the cameras was triggered by numerous inquiries and complaints in June from motorists who said they were unaware of the recent speed limit change because of what they described as inadequate signs and communication. Frankston resident Maria Davoren began a Facebook group that gained more than 4200 members in just two weeks, encouraging affected motorists to request a review of their fines and sending submissions to Fines Victoria, Victoria Police, and the Commissioner on their behalf.

After two site inspections and initial inquiries with the Department of Justice and Community Safety and Victoria Police, the Commissioner wrote to the Police Minister in July saying he would investigate the complaints. He found there were two concurrent speed limit reduction projects that were led and implemented by two different departments and agencies.

“Reducing the speed limit from 60km/h to 40km/h on a major arterial road is a complicated process, not assisted by having two overlapping projects and inadequate communication between key stakeholders and with the public,” he wrote in his report. “The investigation found that the fixed digital road safety cameras were operating as intended and accurately, capturing motorists driving above the new speed limit of 40km/h. However, due to exceptional circumstances borne through the complexities of the systems and processes involved with the speed limit reduction, some motorists were not aware that the legal speed limit southbound through the intersection of Davey St had been reduced to 40km/h.”

Customers whose fines have been withdrawn will be notified by mail. Those who paid their fine in part or in full before the infringement notices were withdrawn will receive a refund. To check the status of your fine, go to https://online.fines.vic.gov.au/Your-Fines/Your- Fines-Login; for information on the status of your driver’s licence, contact VicRoads at https://www.vicroads.vic. gov.au/licences/demerit-points-and-offences/checkdriver-history; the Commissioner’s report is available to read at https://cameracommissioner.vic.gov.au/ publications/nepean-highway-investigation