Tasmania's Efforts to Reduce Road Trauma Through Automated Traffic Enforcement

Tasmania is taking a proactive approach to reducing road trauma by implementing an enhanced Automated Traffic Enforcement Program. This initiative aims to decrease the number of speed-related crashes and fatalities on the state's roads.

1. The Impact of Speed on Road Safety

Speed is a significant factor in road safety, accounting for nearly one-third of all crashes in Tasmania. Each year, approximately 88 fatalities and serious injuries are attributed to speeding. The Department of State Growth, in partnership with Tasmania Police, has launched a mobile speed camera program to address this issue.

Research indicates that low-level speeding is the most prevalent type of speeding in Tasmania. Even minor speeding can be dangerous, as it doubles the risk of being seriously or fatally injured during a crash. For instance, speeding by just 5 km/h in a 60 km/h zone increases the risk of serious or fatal injury significantly.

2. The Automated Traffic Enforcement Program

The Automated Traffic Enforcement Program involves the deployment of mobile speed cameras across Tasmania. These cameras are operated by a third-party service provider, allowing Tasmania Police to focus on other targeted enforcement activities. The program is designed to reduce speeding across the entire road network by acting as a deterrent.

Mobile speed cameras use radar or laser technology to measure the speed of passing vehicles. If a vehicle is detected speeding, an image of the vehicle, its speed, and the date, time, and location are recorded. This information is then provided to Tasmania Police for verification before issuing a Speed Camera Infringement Notice.

All speed cameras in Tasmania are tested annually for accuracy and issued certificates by an independent testing organization. Additionally, each enforcement session begins with a test to ensure the cameras are operating correctly.

3. Public Education and Community Involvement

Public education is a critical component of the program. The 'Over is Over' campaign highlights the consequences of speeding, emphasizing that even minor speeding is dangerous. Members of the community are encouraged to suggest locations for mobile speed cameras, which are then assessed based on their risk of speed-related crashes and other physical characteristics.

The engagement of the community in suggesting locations helps ensure that the program is effective and targeted. This collaborative approach supports the Government's target of reducing serious casualties under the 'Encouraging Safer Road Use' theme of the Towards Zero Action Plan 2020-2024.

4. Effectiveness of Speed Cameras

International research has shown that speed is directly linked to road trauma. A 1 km/h increase in average speeds across the road network can result in an additional 2 fatalities and 11 serious injuries each year. Mobile speed cameras have been proven to reduce speeds and the risk of crashing, saving lives.

A recent study by the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) found that the introduction of an automated speed enforcement program could reduce fatalities and serious injuries by up to 10% or three lives and 30 serious injuries each year.

The presence of speed cameras acts as an ongoing reminder for motorists to slow down, promoting safer driving behavior. Tasmania's mobile speed camera program operates across the state, delivering approximately 40,000 enforcement hours annually and deploying at hundreds of approved sites.

To support public awareness, general signage has been installed across the network reminding drivers that speed cameras operate in Tasmania and that driving over the speed limit can cause lasting damage.

5. Privacy Measures and Technology

The mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras take images of each passing vehicle, which are then analyzed by software to detect potential offenses. Images of suspected offenses are securely transmitted to the Government's database for adjudication by highly trained operators.

Privacy measures include blacking out passengers, blurring the image outside the detected mobile phone, or blocking out the number plate until an adjudicator is satisfied an offense has occurred. This ensures that only necessary images are viewed by humans, with the remainder being automatically destroyed.

The technology used in the mobile speed cameras is capable of monitoring six lanes of traffic at once and can detect vehicles both approaching and receding from the camera.

Tasmanias mobile speed camera program uses both highly visible (overt) trailer-based speed cameras and more discrete (covert) vehicle-based speed cameras. Overt cameras promote awareness of enforcement, while covert cameras deter speeding by motorists who slow down only when they see a speed camera.

Overall, Tasmania's Automated Traffic Enforcement Program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing road trauma through enhanced public education, community involvement, and advanced technology.

Learn More at Direct Post: https://www.directpost.co