News
16 Oct 2017
State Government closes loophole on speed camera avoidance technology
By Western Australian Government
Devices which interfere with speed cameras to be banned in WA under changes to the Road Traffic Code
The State Government is cracking down on drivers who think they can outsmart speed cameras with laser jammers or electronic scramblers.
Speed is a significant factor in road fatalities in Western Australia and the changes are being introduced to stop people who use the technology to drive at excessive speed.
Amendments made to the Road Traffic Code 2000 now make it an offence for any person to drive a motor vehicle fitted with any device that would disrupt the operation of a speed camera.
Anyone caught with such a device fitted to their vehicle or any physical barrier preventing detection now faces a $1,200 fine and the loss of seven demerit points, doubling to 14 demerit points on a holiday weekend.
The penalty increases to $1,500 for those driving a heavy vehicle.
The changes to the law also allows police to issue an infringement for drivers who try to avoid a speed camera by driving in a way that will affect the operation of the camera, such as tail-gating or driving off road.
The new laws come into effect on December 12, 2017.
Comments attributed to Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts:
"This is the end of the road for drivers who think they can use these gadgets to drive at extreme speeds.
"We know speed is a contributing factor in too many fatal and serious injury crashes, so those drivers using these devices are only putting themselves and the community at risk.
"A driver caught with one of these devices during holiday periods, faces an instant loss of their licence through an accumulation of demerit points.
"We are giving people eight weeks' notice before these laws come into effect to give anyone with one of these devices fitted to their vehicle, plenty of time to remove it."