Mr MILLS - 2000-11-29
Red light cameras were introduced to the Territory over 12 months ago to combat our rising road toll. Does the minister have any results indicating the effect of red light cameras on driver behaviour?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, there was a lot of debate leading up to the introduction of red light cameras. Of course it pertained simply to the fatality toll on our roads, and the attempt by government to make the roads safer. I must say, with great support and perhaps the initiative coming from the Road Transport Association in relation to some of these matters in the first instance, it certainly was strongly pursued by the Department of Transport and Works and the Northern Territory police.
The figures indicate that they have been very successful at the two intersections where they are installed – the Stuart Highway/Amy Johnson Avenue and Stuart Highway/Berrimah Road intersections. The red light cameras have now been in operation for 12 months. It is worthwhile members contemplating what the figures were in terms of accidents at those two intersections in the past and what they have been over the last 12 months. It is a good picture as to the safety campaign and what can be done to make Territory roads safer.
In the 10 years since 1990, the Berrimah intersection has had a total of 50 accidents, with two fatalities, or five accidents per year. Since the introduction of the red light camera, there has been no reported accident at this intersection. That is an astounding turnaround, and it is gratifying to see that those results are paying benefits to Territorians in terms of safer roads. The Amy Johnson intersection had recorded 46 accidents with one fatality, or 4.6 accidents per year. For the 12-month period when the red light camera has been operating, only one minor accident has been reported.
The savings to the community and to individuals who have avoided either accidents or even some worse form of a tragedy at those two intersections has been well worth the investment. I commend the police for their initiative and the Department of Transport and Works for the installation of those red light cameras.
It is important, I think, to reflect on just what can be achieved in terms of improving road safety as we approach the Christmas/New Year period. The Minister for Transport and Works, the Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services and myself, together with police and other officers, will be launching the Christmas/New Year traffic enforcement campaign at lunchtime. I take this opportunity to ask all Territorians to drive with care over Christmas and not to turn Christmas into a tragedy, particularly if they are driving long distances, to heed the warnings that are put forward by police and other agencies, to ensure that they can come back and enjoy the great prosperity and opportunities that lie ahead for Territorians and the benefits that they will be able to derive from pursuing their lifestyle in a wonderful part of Australia.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, there was a lot of debate leading up to the introduction of red light cameras. Of course it pertained simply to the fatality toll on our roads, and the attempt by government to make the roads safer. I must say, with great support and perhaps the initiative coming from the Road Transport Association in relation to some of these matters in the first instance, it certainly was strongly pursued by the Department of Transport and Works and the Northern Territory police.
The figures indicate that they have been very successful at the two intersections where they are installed – the Stuart Highway/Amy Johnson Avenue and Stuart Highway/Berrimah Road intersections. The red light cameras have now been in operation for 12 months. It is worthwhile members contemplating what the figures were in terms of accidents at those two intersections in the past and what they have been over the last 12 months. It is a good picture as to the safety campaign and what can be done to make Territory roads safer.
In the 10 years since 1990, the Berrimah intersection has had a total of 50 accidents, with two fatalities, or five accidents per year. Since the introduction of the red light camera, there has been no reported accident at this intersection. That is an astounding turnaround, and it is gratifying to see that those results are paying benefits to Territorians in terms of safer roads. The Amy Johnson intersection had recorded 46 accidents with one fatality, or 4.6 accidents per year. For the 12-month period when the red light camera has been operating, only one minor accident has been reported.
The savings to the community and to individuals who have avoided either accidents or even some worse form of a tragedy at those two intersections has been well worth the investment. I commend the police for their initiative and the Department of Transport and Works for the installation of those red light cameras.
It is important, I think, to reflect on just what can be achieved in terms of improving road safety as we approach the Christmas/New Year period. The Minister for Transport and Works, the Minister for Health, Family and Children’s Services and myself, together with police and other officers, will be launching the Christmas/New Year traffic enforcement campaign at lunchtime. I take this opportunity to ask all Territorians to drive with care over Christmas and not to turn Christmas into a tragedy, particularly if they are driving long distances, to heed the warnings that are put forward by police and other agencies, to ensure that they can come back and enjoy the great prosperity and opportunities that lie ahead for Territorians and the benefits that they will be able to derive from pursuing their lifestyle in a wonderful part of Australia.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016