Mr MITCHELL - 1997-04-22
In relation to the introduction of extra road safety measures by way of speed cameras and red light cameras, does the minister agree with the view ascribed to a police officer, and reinforced by some writers of letters to newspapers, that these measures are being introduced for the purpose of generating government revenue? Does the minister join with me in hoping that these cameras will never pay for themselves?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I certainly do not agree with any view concerning the revenue-raising possibilities of these cameras, and I endorse the member's hope. It would be wonderful if these cameras were never able to pay for themselves.
I have videotapes of an excellent series of television advertisements prepared for the introduction of speed cameras in Queensland. The difference in Queensland is that, if you are 30 km/h above the speed limit, you could receive sufficient demerit points to lose your licence. We have no demerit system in the Northern Territory. Nevertheless, it is an excellent series of advertisements. Honourable members are able to view the tapes in my office.
The government intends to undertake a program to advise motorists of their responsibilities. We will advise them that the first they will know about it will be when they see the notice in the paper and the photograph of their car and its number plate. They will then have to pay the fine in accordance with the penalties that will be tabled in this Assembly, but which will not be passed until the August sittings. The police believe they will have the cameras trialled by then. Everybody will know their responsibilities in terms of speed cameras and red light cameras. Let us hope that we can reduce not only the death toll in the Northern Territory, but also the numbers of accidents that occur as a result of Territorians running red lights and speeding.
Page 2025
The member for Karama has asked me whether these cameras could be used in areas in the northern suburbs. I advise the Assembly that mobile cameras are a No 1 option. These cameras, which are capable of photographing one vehicle per second, will be mounted in a vehicle and will then be able to be positioned anywhere in the Northern Territory. No warning will be given that speed cameras are operating in a particular area. They could be anywhere at any time. I hope that answers the concerns of the member for Karama who asked if they might be used to help eliminate speeding on some of the thoroughfares in the northern suburbs.
We will be debating the legislation in the August sittings. Hopefully, we will be looking at the introducing the speed cameras in October. I repeat that I too hope that the cameras never get to pay for themselves, and that people will abide by the speed laws and stop running red lights.
Page 2026
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I certainly do not agree with any view concerning the revenue-raising possibilities of these cameras, and I endorse the member's hope. It would be wonderful if these cameras were never able to pay for themselves.
I have videotapes of an excellent series of television advertisements prepared for the introduction of speed cameras in Queensland. The difference in Queensland is that, if you are 30 km/h above the speed limit, you could receive sufficient demerit points to lose your licence. We have no demerit system in the Northern Territory. Nevertheless, it is an excellent series of advertisements. Honourable members are able to view the tapes in my office.
The government intends to undertake a program to advise motorists of their responsibilities. We will advise them that the first they will know about it will be when they see the notice in the paper and the photograph of their car and its number plate. They will then have to pay the fine in accordance with the penalties that will be tabled in this Assembly, but which will not be passed until the August sittings. The police believe they will have the cameras trialled by then. Everybody will know their responsibilities in terms of speed cameras and red light cameras. Let us hope that we can reduce not only the death toll in the Northern Territory, but also the numbers of accidents that occur as a result of Territorians running red lights and speeding.
Page 2025
The member for Karama has asked me whether these cameras could be used in areas in the northern suburbs. I advise the Assembly that mobile cameras are a No 1 option. These cameras, which are capable of photographing one vehicle per second, will be mounted in a vehicle and will then be able to be positioned anywhere in the Northern Territory. No warning will be given that speed cameras are operating in a particular area. They could be anywhere at any time. I hope that answers the concerns of the member for Karama who asked if they might be used to help eliminate speeding on some of the thoroughfares in the northern suburbs.
We will be debating the legislation in the August sittings. Hopefully, we will be looking at the introducing the speed cameras in October. I repeat that I too hope that the cameras never get to pay for themselves, and that people will abide by the speed laws and stop running red lights.
Page 2026
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016