Speed Cameras & Speeding Fines Blog

The Queensland State Government is betting that the newly installed speed camera on the Warrego Highway in QLD will be availalbe to snap speeding motorists just in time for the Christmas holiday season.

Installed back in August, the speed camera is orientatewd to monitor those drivers heading towards speeding Brisbane at Muirlea – allegedly at a known blackspot accident zone just west of Ipswich.

This particular camera site was selected because crash data suggested over 22 crashes occurred at this location between 2002 and 2007 – including one fatality.

But turning on the speed camera had been held back until now due to delays in completing the road works and also fitting compatible guard rails (not to motorcyclists delight) to ensure the speed limit in the area can safely return to 100kmh.

The member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt said the protective guard rails that had been previously fitted had to be replaced before the camera could be used because the guard rails reflected too much sunlight back into the lens of the camera.

“The metal guard rails had to be substituted with wire rope – like that used on the M1 highway, as you travel to the Gold Coast,” Mr Wendt said.

“Main Roads reports they are hoping to have the new wire guard rails completed by this Thursday night.”

Further tests will allegedly be conducted to ensure the camera is working 100% before it is turned on. Of course we have to wonder who is carying out these tests..and independant company, or one appointed by main roads?

Mr Wendt said this testing could take four to five days, so he is hoping that the camera be turned on and making money on Christmas Eve.

“But at this stage I can’t guarantee it,” he said.

The State Government has planned further upgrades along a dangerous stretch of the Warrego Highway, between Blacksoil and Minden, in the new year.

Work is currently underway to improve the busy Brisbane Valley Highway turnoff and changes are planned for the notorious Minden crossroads.

However, these improvements will not affect the activation of the new speed camera.

Mr Wendt said he apologised on behalf of the government for the lengthy delay in switching the camera on.  You may wonder how the government feels about the lost revenue from the delay.

Warrego Highway commuters can expect to see more cash grabbers along the route in coming years, with a Department of Main Roads and Transport spokesman confirming the government would investigate the prospect of increasing the number of devices as part of the Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2010-2011.