News
22 Jan 2019
Media release - Smith calls for review on WA speed cameras use
Hon Charles Smith MLC - One Nation WA Member of The Legislative Council
One Nation member for the East Metropolitan Region Charles Smith, has called upon the Minister for Police and Road Safety Michelle Roberts, to reconsider mobile speed camera use which he believes unfairly target WA drivers for the purpose of revenue raising.
Additionally, more than 53,000 fines reviewed last year were due to faulty machinery.
Mrs Roberts reportedly asked the WA Police and Road Safety Commission to consider stopping advertising where speed cameras were placed, fuelling criticism that speed cameras are primarily revenue raising tools.
However, Mrs Roberts has argued the cameras are not used for this purpose.
Mr Smith argues that while following speed limits are important, the current system remains unfair to WA drivers.
“While I agree that people should adhere to the speed limits and drive safely, I do not think the current method is at all fair,” said Mr Smith.
“For example, you see these cameras hidden in the back of utes, or behind bushes or fences. People feel they are being entrapped – especially given that so many are placed at the bottom of hills or right before and after speed changes.”
Mr Smith also acknowledges the revenue raising role of speed cameras.
“Everybody knows traffic violations are used for revenue raising. I would remind the Minister that after the election, WA Police stopped issuing fines for minor violations to hurt the hip pocket of the McGowan Government after they refused to honour a pay raise,” he said.
“The issue with cameras is that they are now relied on by the government to replace police, because WA Labor are too mean to employ actual police. There is no discretion with a machine and there is no context on the driving conditions at the time,” he said.
Focusing on penalising dangerous and anti-social drivers should be the key priority for government, according to Mr Smith.
“I want to see more police traffic cars on the road taking out dangerous and anti-social drivers and less speed cameras fining mum and dad drivers on the way to work or school.”
“People know where cameras are, social media uncovers them quickly, and a camera should never replace an officer. Once an aggressive driver passes a camera, they will continue their poor behaviour. If they see police on the roads behind them, they are far less likely to act recklessly.”
“It is clear that the only time WA Labor ever get tough on crime is when they can make a quick buck. I would ask where this vigour is when it comes to violent crime in our communities?” said Mr Smith.