Queensland drivers can likely expect to see more mobile, speed, red light, and seatbelt cameras over the next few years thanks to a massive funding boost to the state’s Camera Detected Offence Program (CDOP).
As reported by 9News, the state’s Cabinet Budget Review Committee has approved $499.85 million in funding for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) for camera initiatives.
We’ve reached out to TMR in regard to what type of cameras the funding will go towards exactly.
The CDOP currently uses the following types of cameras:
- Mobile speed cameras
- Fixed speed cameras
- Red light cameras
- Combined red light and speed cameras
- Road safety camera trailers
- Point-to-point speed camera systems
- Mobile phone and seatbelt cameras
- Speed camera signs in school zones and roadworks
The almost $500 million of funding will also be used to fund 39 full-time staff.
As recently reported, the Queensland Government said it expected a total sum of $465.8 million from the CDOP in the last financial year, which is up 70 per cent on the $274.5 million collected in 2021-22.
“Research tells us that CDOP was associated with a reduction of 897 casualty crashes in 2020 and 1191 casualty crashes in 2021,” said Transport Minister Mark Bailey in remarks reported by the ABC.
“This translates to annual savings to the community of around $503 million and $678 million respectively by preventing injuries and fatalities.
“Any revenue collected from the CDOP is reinvested back into road safety initiatives by law.”
Revenue has been given a shot in the arm from an increase in the value of fines for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt, while the government has also been deploying cameras that can detect mobile phone usage.
It’s also piloting new school zone and roadworks speed cameras, though for seven months they hadn’t recorded any infringement notices to speeders due to “technical issues”.
Last June, the Government confirmed it had recorded over 100,000 infringements for the use of mobile phones and the lack of seatbelt use over a six-month period. 71,596 of these were mobile phone infringements.
Earlier this week the Queensland Government increased the fine for not wearing a seatbelt while driving to $1161 and four demerit points, which is the same amount for illegally using a mobile phone while driving.
The Government also increased penalties for speeding and running a red light last year.
For running a red light you’ll be slugged with three demerit points and a $575 fine.
Exceeding the speed limit by between 1-10km/h will get you a $287 fine and one demerit point.
Likewise, exceeding the speed limit by 11-20km/h will get you a fine of $431 and three demerit points.
The other brackets remain unchanged for now, as are the corresponding demerit point amounts, and are as follows:
- 21-30km/h: increased from $459 to $646 (four demerit points)
- 31-40km/h: increased from $643 to $1078 (six demerit points)
- Over 40km/h: increased from $1286 to $1653 (eight demerit points, six-month licence suspension)
The changes in penalties are part of the new Queensland Road Safety Strategy 2022-31, with a vision to having zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050.
Before then, it wants to reduce fatalities by 50 per cent by 2031 and serious injuries on the road by 30 per cent by 2031.
The road death toll increased to 299 in 2022, the worst in a decade.
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