Speed Cameras - Revenue Raising by Government

Eric Frei · 10th August 2010, 10:29 PM

No longer what we suspected but now a fact ....

... raking in almost $1billion a year and rising.

YouTube -speed-camera-revenue-raisers

dov · 11th August 2010, 09:16 AM

As much as I believe everything I see on youtube... well, if they didn't get it from fines they'd have to raise taxes. I've never been caught speeding. I just allow other, more public spirited souls to lower my taxes for me.

Apocalypsse · 15th August 2010, 01:41 PM

Why do people keep bitching about revenue raising? Its not that hard to avoid a camera, you just slow down where the camera is, mobile cameras are pretty obvious nowadays. Speed cameras slow down traffic for that area, making it safer for pedestrians and other non-vehicle traffic. I'm all for speed camera's keeping our taxes lower. If you are stupid enough to get picked up by a speed camera then you deserve to get fined (I've been there many times), all it takes is a few seconds of driving at the speed limit then you can go for your life again.

Done it · 15th August 2010, 09:43 PM

Switzerland knows how to make speeding pay, the fine goes on your earnings.

A man has been handed a speeding ticket of $1.13 million - thought to be the world's largest ever fine. World's biggest ever speeding fine - The West Australian

Apocalypsse · 15th August 2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

He avoided a number of speed traps as he was travelling too fast for the cameras.

LOL @ that.

R.Boreal · 13th December 2010, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apocalypsse

Why do people keep bitching about revenue raising? Its not that hard to avoid a camera, you just slow down where the camera is, mobile cameras are pretty obvious nowadays. Speed cameras slow down traffic for that area, making it safer for pedestrians and other non-vehicle traffic. I'm all for speed camera's keeping our taxes lower. If you are stupid enough to get picked up by a speed camera then you deserve to get fined (I've been there many times), all it takes is a few seconds of driving at the speed limit then you can go for your life again.

I believe you are missing the potential for law enforcement to abuse this newfound power and information. My good friend lives near the Jersey shore where they have these newly installed cameras. In the USA you can make a right on red, unless otherwise indicated, but you must come to a full stop first. (At least, you can in many states.) He came to a full stop at a red light, then made a right which was legal for that intersection. Later he got a summons to pay a heavy fine ($80 I'm thinking?) because his truck tire was a foot or so OVER THE LINE painted on the road when he stopped. How many times have you had go a bit farther out to safely see what's coming?

This is not making the world safer. This is total abuse of the technology by money grubbing wh__res in power. I'm sorry, but that kind of thing just makes people snap. (He didn't.) That's the kind of senseless application of the letter of the law that makes criminals out of law abiding citizens.

Your post is a gross over simplification of the matter - you are naively granting the benefit of the doubt that the local governments are looking after the safety of the people. I believe this consideration is secondary to the REVENUE potential for emerging technologies, such as these cameras.

Apocalypsse · 13th December 2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.Boreal

I believe you are missing the potential for law enforcement to abuse this newfound power and information. My good friend lives near the Jersey shore where they have these newly installed cameras. In the USA you can make a right on red, unless otherwise indicated, but you must come to a full stop first. (At least, you can in many states.) He came to a full stop at a red light, then made a right which was legal for that intersection. Later he got a summons to pay a heavy fine ($80 I'm thinking?) because his truck tire was a foot or so OVER THE LINE painted on the road when he stopped. How many times have you had go a bit farther out to safely see what's coming?

This is not making the world safer. This is total abuse of the technology by money grubbing wh__res in power. I'm sorry, but that kind of thing just makes people snap. (He didn't.) That's the kind of senseless application of the letter of the law that makes criminals out of law abiding citizens.

Your post is a gross over simplification of the matter - you are naively granting the benefit of the doubt that the local governments are looking after the safety of the people. I believe this consideration is secondary to the REVENUE potential for emerging technologies, such as these cameras.

Over here stopping over the line can get you fined, depends on the mood of the cops really. Stop over the line in a licence test and there goes a few points. Yea it is a bit stupid but thats life.

As for my post, you seem to be ignoring everything but those select few words. The revenue from the fines keeps our taxes lower, Victoria raked in 500 odd million last year from fines, thats a fair tax hike to make that back, almost guaranteed election loss there. Cameras make the immediate are slightly safer by slowing people down, thats about it, the government may call it public safety for brownie points but I doubt they care. My post is factual, if you slow down for those 5 seconds to pass by a camera you will be just fine, if you can't bring yourself to slow down those few seconds then get ready to pay up.

Eric Frei · 17th December 2010, 10:27 PM

After holidaying in NSW for a week I can say it's a police state hell bent on busting motorists.

Govts with tax are like children in a lolly-shop, no matter what their budget they always want more. The idea that fines reduce tax elsewhere is completely illogical and defies common sense reasoning. The NSW govt in 1989 introduced the 3x3 fuel tax, the idea was that 3 cents per litre for 3 years would go into roads ..... and the tax is still there today and we do not have a decent road from Brisbane to Sydney, loaded with shitty cameras, hiding cops, billboards full of ugly cops with mirror glasses and 50 km/hr zones on the main Pacific Hwy (plus 35km/hr bends!) for two bit towns which should be moved out of the way or bypassed.

Speed, it's a concept, put there to cater for the lowest common denominator behind the wheel. I'd be safer at 150km/hr than some of the idiots I see at 50km/hr.

On the same road the speed changes from 110km/hr to 100km/hr, what changed? Nothing. They just haven't updated the signs so the cops hang around booking people, especially when it's a drop to 80km/hr once again for no apparent reason. I kept asking my kids, "what's the speed for this road now?" You bet it's stupid and confusing.

I was booked once 80km/hr in a 60km/hr zone, then a month later that was rezoned to 80km/hr (as it was before they made it 4 lanes, yeah it was 80km/hr for a 2 lane road). Whatever happened to driver competence, conditions, vehicle etc has truly been thrown away, now there's a bunch of brake pumping paranoids causing ass enders and pile ups.

In the UK (and no doubt soon here) there's a new big brother device getting ready.

New speed camera set for UK by 2013 - Motoring News - RAC

Quote:

The camera can see inside vehicles, and in addition to clocking how fast motorists are driving, it can measure the distance between cars to see whether a driver is tailgating. It also automatically reads number plates to see whether the vehicle is taxed and insured.

When you look at the percentile of deaths current compared to 10 years ago and 20 years ago etc you will see the statistics are much better per driver/vehicle. Contrary to what BS brainwashing is going on the situation is vastly better then what these doom and gloom wankers say, and they get away with their exaggerations and lies.

The govt publishes the facts here:-

NEW NATIONAL ROAD DEATH STATISTICS

So with so many more vehicles on the road the deaths have declined (half of what they were 30 years ago), we need a medal not a fine.

Jeff Darby · 17th December 2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

After holidaying in NSW for a week I can say it's a police state hell bent on busting motorists.

Govts with tax are like children in a lolly-shop, no matter what their budget they always want more. The idea that fines reduce tax elsewhere is completely illogical and defies common sense reasoning. The NSW govt in 1989 introduced the 3x3 fuel tax, the idea was that 3 cents per litre for 3 years would go into roads ..... and the tax is still there today and we do not have a decent road from Brisbane to Sydney, loaded with shitty cameras, hiding cops, billboards full of ugly cops with mirror glasses and 50 km/hr zones on the main Pacific Hwy (plus 35km/hr bends!) for two bit towns which should be moved out of the way or bypassed.

Speed, it's a concept, put there to cater for the lowest common denominator behind the wheel. I'd be safer at 150km/hr than some of the idiots I see at 50km/hr.

On the same road the speed changes from 110km/hr to 100km/hr, what changed? Nothing. They just haven't updated the signs so the cops hang around booking people, especially when it's a drop to 80km/hr once again for no apparent reason. I kept asking my kids, "what's the speed for this road now?" You bet it's stupid and confusing.

I was booked once 80km/hr in a 60km/hr zone, then a month later that was rezoned to 80km/hr (as it was before they made it 4 lanes, yeah it was 80km/hr for a 2 lane road). Whatever happened to driver competence, conditions, vehicle etc has truly been thrown away, now there's a bunch of brake pumping paranoids causing ass enders and pile ups.

Tell us something we dont know. Heres their write up on the mater...from the horses mouth. http://tinyurl.com/33nkaxw

Eric Frei · 17th December 2010, 11:47 PM

There's lies and propaganda on your link!

From my link they state:-

Quote:

Speed zone...

* Thirty-one per cent of fatal crashes in 2007 occurred on roads zoned 60 km/h or below;
* Twenty-two per cent occurred in 65-95 km/h zones and 47 per cent were in 100 km/h zones or above.

So I can see that 53% of fatalities occur in zones under 95km/h .... so put up the speed limit as clearly there is less deaths on faster than 95km/hr zones!

Jeff Darby · 18th December 2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

There's lies and propaganda on your link!

we all know they tell us what they want us to know ! with that said imo I think it isn't the speed but the impact which proves to be fatal...when I used to ride bikes I rather have stacked it at high speeds then low speed.

These new mobile cameras are pure flash for cash I've seen a couple now, and have even seen their warning sign pointing off into the bush on the freeway..

R.Boreal · 18th December 2010, 11:53 AM

That's a lot of info on those last few posts, and most of it NG. Another thing I also learned from your writings is, it's not just the USA where our rights are going down the toilet in favor of a police state. It doesn't make me feel any better. Worse actually, because I was hoping one day to exit and make my home elsewhere. I love so many things about the American people, but I am ashamed of our government. With a few bright spots of exception, the last 75 years have been engineered to eventually just sell us all out. It's been a corporate government ever since the gold standard was dropped. There's not going to be any revolution, not as long as the malls stay open and the TV is broadcasting.

I talked with a Pennsylvania State Trooper some years ago, and he told me that the monetary incentives for cops to rack up DUI's (DWI) is substantial. Like Eric said, "What happened to the days of..." when the officer's decision was based on your actions, attitude and his state of mind. Cops state of mind is now $$$ and they haul you off or write you up, ka-ching. And same here about "The tolls will only be in effect until the road is paid for..." and 20 years later they went from a dime to a dollar.

That mobile camera rig that totally creeps me out. See inside your car and run all your vitals as you drive by? Ma-donna that's scary.

Apocalypsse, apologies for some of my tone there. I don't wanna go spouting off like a wanker. I stand by what I said about them being money grubbers, but I also agree that it's a good thing for people to slow down at intersections. I have been riding motorcycles for 20 years. I'm a fan of safety, even if it's fear based. But you can only bleed people so much before they go nuts. I feel the weight, the pressure, of the erosion of our rights in the USA. It's pretty scary.

Eric Frei · 18th December 2010, 04:25 PM

Some will argue, your freedom to speed and break the law!

Brains the size of peas for most, lowest common denominator wins every time so dumb it down.

Here, have a look at this trumped up hoon, balls get delivered faster than this guy's driving, maybe a few need to get hit in the head by a cricket ball!

KP drives ... no, the cops have hooked him | Herald Sun

Quote:

December 10, 2010

KEVIN Pietersen has gone from champ to chump, being caught speeding in a $475,000 Lamborghini.

The flamboyant cricket star - fresh from a man-of-the-match performance in the second Ashes Test - was nabbed near Geelong yesterday at more than 20km/h over the limit.

He was condemned last night by road safety advocates for being caught on police radar at 121km/h in a 100km/h zone.

The 30-year-old was busted on the Geelong Ring Rd at 2.35pm, returning from a spin along the Great Ocean Rd.

Pietersen was hit with a $239 fine, lost three demerit points and attracted the ire of hoon driving critics.

Penny Martin, whose son Josh was killed in an accident involving a hoon driver in 2001, took the long handle.

"It beggars belief," Mrs Martin said.

"It destroys you every time you hear another person doing what causes a crash. They don't get the link between what they're doing and death."

The Transport Accident Commission was quick to hit Twitter to impart the safe driving message.

"Pietersen out! Bowled out by the Christmas enforcement campaign. No one will escape this season ... 3000 police on the road ... Don't risk it!" the TAC tweet said.

Pietersen had earlier sent some tweets of his own as he went on his scenic drive. "Stunning beaches on The Great Ocean Rd.. Gorgeous drive!!!" he wrote.

It was the same vehicle in which Pieterson was pictured in yesterday's Herald Sun.

Shane Warne had organised for his close mate to drive the car on loan from Lamborghini Australia. Company managing director Andrew Smith said last night he had not heard from Pietersen or seen the car.

He said he was expecting its return today or tomorrow but was not at all worried. "I can't say a bad word about him. He was very good to all our staff," Mr Smith said.

Pietersen was travelling alone at the time he was booked.

And have a read of this:-

Quote:

"Pietersen out! Bowled out by the Christmas enforcement campaign. No one will escape this season ... 3000 police on the road ... Don't risk it!" the TAC tweet said.

You know why crime is down? Because it is so hard to report it that most cant be bothered. Try ring up and report a crime, your car got broken into and trashed, stuff taken etc ..... no-one cares. But get 3000 cops out there to book motorists is like printing money, no need for court cases just pens and paper.

All about perception, lets see. One idiot goes nuts in Tasmania and guns get bought back.

A car race from Darwin to Alice Springs in Northern Territory nick named the Cannon Ball Run in 1994 had an accident, 4 dead. So speed limits reduced etc.

Quote:

In 1994 the first and only Cannonball Run in Australia ran from Darwin to Yulara and back again. Based on similar events in the United States, this event ended in tragedy when an out of control Ferrari F40[6] crashed into a checkpoint south of Alice Springs, resulting in the death of four people including the occupants.[7] The remainder of the race had to have a 150 km/h (93 mph) speed limit imposed to prevent further accidents, and then had regular traffic overtake the competitors.

Must have been Australia's best kept secret because had I have known of a no speed limit road I would have wound up the ole 351 V8 and other souped up cars I had on that road.

What am I saying? That the so called "speed limit" is something we have been conditioned too, something that in other places is different and seen differently. To me in a country this size to travel vast distances across things like the Hay Plains or Nullarbor Plains at 100km/h is a joke.

Drouin Tree Service · 18th December 2010, 06:17 PM

Nothing worse than the 100km zoned freeway everyone with cruise control set between 98kms and 105kmh tail gating very dangerous,the roads and laws in this country are a joke.

Got done a month back for talking on the phone while it was on loud speaker,yes i was in the wrong,Luckily the copper filled out wrong date and they had to withdraw the fine.He even said to me"Its a stupid rule but i caught you so ill book you"

Self tending traffic is what i like,first in best dressed!

Eric Frei · 18th December 2010, 10:39 PM

How about it when the NSW cops were targeting overtaking vehicles .... when finally an overtaking lane come up there's the cops radar gunning/targeting speeding motorists who were overtaking that truck or caravan.

Then some physicist made the newspaper about how dangerous and long it would take to overtake say a truck 12m long doing 95km/h with a 5m long car that could not exceed 100km/h .... you'd run out of room plus piss off everyone behind you.

http://acta.maxwell.sze.hu/component...e-drivers.html

80% of overtaking drivers exceed the speed limit.

R.Boreal · 19th December 2010, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

Here, have a look at this trumped up hoon, balls get delivered faster than this guy's driving, maybe a few need to get hit in the head by a cricket ball!

That's the first thing that came to mind, as my eyes went to the article and awesome Lambo before I read your comments... I don't think so much in kilometers, but for heaven's sake!! 20 kmph over! What's that, 15 mph? I mean, the things got brake calipers the size of a computer monitor!!! Unless he was going in the snow (yeah, Down Under, right) or reading a book behind the wheel, I don't see the call for such outrage. After all, in a car capable of 300kmph (or whatever) I think he was exercising restraint!!

I have a CBR929, and I speed all the time, but little speeding. Always on the lookout for the oblivious dopey bas__rd pulling out of a driveway or the little kid running out. Always give myself a safety margin in residential areas. The thing will stop with the rear wheel almost over my head, but I still go easy. On empty highways, is another matter ...

Jeff Darby · 19th December 2010, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Frei

How about it when the NSW cops were targeting overtaking vehicles .... when finally an overtaking lane come up there's the cops radar gunning/targeting speeding motorists who were overtaking that truck or caravan.

Then some physicist made the newspaper about how dangerous and long it would take to overtake say a truck 12m long doing 95km/h with a 5m long car that could not exceed 100km/h .... you'd run out of room plus piss off everyone behind you.

http://acta.maxwell.sze.hu/component...e-drivers.html

80% of overtaking drivers exceed the speed limit.

Anyone who knows how to drive know you are not going anywhere at the same speed as the vehicle your trying to overtake.

In this instance I feel you should be able to quickly and safely accelerate

to get around a slow truck or caravan, after all frustration alone would be potentially more dangerous than a short period of higher speed to get around a slow poke...rolling road block.

Try explaining this to a copper about to fine you, or the judge listening to your case

11th August 2010, 09:16 AM	#2
dov Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 651	Re: Speed Cameras - Revenue Raising by Government As much as I believe everything I see on youtube... well, if they didn't get it from fines they'd have to raise taxes. I've never been caught speeding. I just allow other, more public spirited souls to lower my taxes for me. __________________

15th August 2010, 01:41 PM	#3
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,154	Re: Speed Cameras - Revenue Raising by Government Why do people keep bitching about revenue raising? Its not that hard to avoid a camera, you just slow down where the camera is, mobile cameras are pretty obvious nowadays. Speed cameras slow down traffic for that area, making it safer for pedestrians and other non-vehicle traffic. I'm all for speed camera's keeping our taxes lower. If you are stupid enough to get picked up by a speed camera then you deserve to get fined (I've been there many times), all it takes is a few seconds of driving at the speed limit then you can go for your life again.

15th August 2010, 09:43 PM	#4
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 784	Re: Speed Cameras - Revenue Raising by Government Switzerland knows how to make speeding pay, the fine goes on your earnings. A man has been handed a speeding ticket of $1.13 million - thought to be the world's largest ever fine. World's biggest ever speeding fine - The West Australian

18th December 2010, 11:53 AM	#12
R.Boreal Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upper Dublin, PA Posts: 62	Re: Speed Cameras - Revenue Raising by Government That's a lot of info on those last few posts, and most of it NG. Another thing I also learned from your writings is, it's not just the USA where our rights are going down the toilet in favor of a police state. It doesn't make me feel any better. Worse actually, because I was hoping one day to exit and make my home elsewhere. I love so many things about the American people, but I am ashamed of our government. With a few bright spots of exception, the last 75 years have been engineered to eventually just sell us all out. It's been a corporate government ever since the gold standard was dropped. There's not going to be any revolution, not as long as the malls stay open and the TV is broadcasting. I talked with a Pennsylvania State Trooper some years ago, and he told me that the monetary incentives for cops to rack up DUI's (DWI) is substantial. Like Eric said, "What happened to the days of..." when the officer's decision was based on your actions, attitude and his state of mind. Cops state of mind is now $$$ and they haul you off or write you up, ka-ching. And same here about "The tolls will only be in effect until the road is paid for..." and 20 years later they went from a dime to a dollar. That mobile camera rig that totally creeps me out. See inside your car and run all your vitals as you drive by? Ma-donna that's scary. Apocalypsse, apologies for some of my tone there. I don't wanna go spouting off like a wanker. I stand by what I said about them being money grubbers, but I also agree that it's a good thing for people to slow down at intersections. I have been riding motorcycles for 20 years. I'm a fan of safety, even if it's fear based. But you can only bleed people so much before they go nuts. I feel the weight, the pressure, of the erosion of our rights in the USA. It's pretty scary. __________________ I'm not smug, but I do feel elevated.

18th December 2010, 06:17 PM	#14
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,697	Re: Speed Cameras - Revenue Raising by Government Nothing worse than the 100km zoned freeway everyone with cruise control set between 98kms and 105kmh tail gating very dangerous,the roads and laws in this country are a joke. Got done a month back for talking on the phone while it was on loud speaker,yes i was in the wrong,Luckily the copper filled out wrong date and they had to withdraw the fine.He even said to me"Its a stupid rule but i caught you so ill book you" Self tending traffic is what i like,first in best dressed! __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

18th December 2010, 10:39 PM	#15
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Speed Cameras - Revenue Raising by Government How about it when the NSW cops were targeting overtaking vehicles .... when finally an overtaking lane come up there's the cops radar gunning/targeting speeding motorists who were overtaking that truck or caravan. Then some physicist made the newspaper about how dangerous and long it would take to overtake say a truck 12m long doing 95km/h with a 5m long car that could not exceed 100km/h .... you'd run out of room plus piss off everyone behind you. http://acta.maxwell.sze.hu/component...e-drivers.html 80% of overtaking drivers exceed the speed limit. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

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