Keira MP Ryan Park has raised concerns the controversial speed camera outside The Illawarra Grammar School may only be about revenue raising.
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He’s even raised his concerns with Roads Minister Melinda Pavey and Finance Minister Dominic Perrottet.
But Transport for NSW data shows the camera has led to a reduction in casualty crashes.
The camera on the Princes Highway that targets vehicles travelling in both directions has long been a frustration for motorists.
Some motorists object to having a school zone with its accompanying lower speeds along the highway where no students are crossing the road and many appear to be picked up by parents.
Others have complained about having a camera operating on a downhill section of the highway.
The camera operates 24 hours a day but recent Office of State Revenue figures showed that, in the last financial year, more than 90 per cent of its revenue came from drivers speeding during school zone hours.
Of the $594,420 the camera brought in during the 2016-17 financial year, $553,710 came from school zone speeders.
Mr Park’s concerns over the speed camera were sparked by a letter from a constituent who claimed the camera provided no road safety benefit and suggested it was about revenue-raising.
“I want to make sure that all speed cameras across the region are regularly reviewed and that they are delivering the road safety outcomes that the community expect and not simply there to raise revenue,” Mr Park said.
He has lodged questions in parliament with Ms Pavey over how many accidents and fatalities have occurred both before and since the camera’s installation and Mr Perrottet about the numbers of fines it has issued.
Transport for NSW figures show there were seven casualty crashes, including one fatality, outside TIGS in the five years before the camera’s installation.
After the camera was in place, this fell to four casualty crashes and one fatality from 2011-2015.
Centre for Road Safety Executive Director Bernard Carlon said school speed zones were installed at the entry point to every school.
“School zone locations take into consideration the road geometry and environment, speed limits, sight distances, bus stops, and pedestrian measures,” Mr Carlon said.
“More than 99 per cent of drivers pass speed cameras without being infringed for speeding, demonstrating that most drivers are driving responsibly and do not exceed the speed limit.”
Mr Carlon said all revenue from speed camera fines went into the Community Road Safety fund.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
