Speed cameras rack up $70m

The State Government reaped an extra $5.5 million from lead-footed motorists last year after a 13 per cent rise in the number of drivers caught exceeding the speed limit.

Police attributed the rise in infringements to more speed cameras and new digital technology, including dual-lens cameras and integrated speed-red light cameras.

The dual-lens cameras are able to photograph rear numberplates so motorcyclists can no longer escape speeding fines.

Red light traffic offences dropped 29 per cent to 17,338 last year.

Acting Commander Andy Greatwood, of specialist enforcement and operations, said fewer red light infringements were recorded partly because of several breakdowns of equipment used to develop film.

In addition, some red light camera sites were non-operational for months to allow for technical upgrades.

Police issued 502,702 speeding fines in 2010, up 59,278 from the 443,424 handed to speeding motorists the year before.

Speeding fines worth more than $70 million were issued last year.

Police impounded 433 vehicles under hoon laws for drivers caught doing at least 45km/h over the limit, up 12 per cent on the 386 seized in 2009.

RAC spokesman Matt Brown said the increased number of speeding offences showed it would be a long and difficult battle to break the culture of speeding in WA.

The Office of Road Safety says speed is a factor in one in every three road deaths.

The biggest jump in infringements was among drivers caught travelling up to 9km/h over the limit, with each fined $75.

There was also a rise in drivers caught speeding 10-19km/h over the limit but a drop in the number caught speeding at least 20km/h over the limit.

Motorists caught running red lights were each handed fines of $150 and accrued three demerit points, putting $2,600,700 into State Government coffers.

Police Minister Rob Johnson said a third of the $72,636,375 in fines revenue last year would go to the Road Trauma Trust Fund, which funds road safety initiatives.

Acting Cdr Greatwood said there had been a reduction in the percentage of vehicles breaking the speed limit at fixed speed-red light camera sites.

But he said police were not planning to install a permanent camera on Mandurah Road in Lakelands, the fifth worst for speeding drivers in 2010 and the worst in 2009, or at three intersections where red light running was rife.

He said mobile cameras would be used in those areas and they were not among 60 sites recommended for fixed cameras by an Office of Road Safety report.

Mr Brown said police should not be restricted by an academic report and if they had evidence of dangerous behaviour they should act.