Police say that work is progressing on the installation of a new safe speed camera at Raglan in a high crash risk area of the Waikato Police district.
Police are still giving confusing information about the location of the camera, saying they are installing it on Main Road in Raglan. So far this there is no sign of a camera being installed on Main Road that runs from Manukau Road to Norrie Avenue.
A pole with a dual camera was installed on the corner of Wrights Road and State Highway 23 on Friday 21st October. The camera will be thoroughly tested before becoming operational, says Operations Manager Road Policing, Inspector Peter McKennie.
Mr McKennie added, “It’s quite simple, if people drive at an appropriate and safe speed for the road and conditions, they’ll be in no danger of getting a ticket – or more importantly being involved in a crash.”
Police say the camera installation is one among 33 sites across the country where new safe speed cameras will be placed in an effort to drive down mean speeds and related deaths and injuries in these areas.
“The placement of the poles and cameras is occurring at those sites across the country that have been identified as having a high crash risk and a history of fatalities and injury crashes, based on detailed analysis by independent traffic experts,” says Inspector Peter McKennie.
“We know from international evidence that safe speed cameras do have an impact on slowing people down, particularly around the sphere of influence of the camera.
“This is why we are working to place safe speed cameras at this and other sites, to encourage people to reduce their mean speeds, which, when coupled with road safety improvements and other measures, helps to reduce deaths and injuries” Mr McKennie says.
Site works for the 33 sites were announced in May this year, and represent the third phase of the $10m static camera expansion programme announced in July 2013.
Mr McKennie says Police isn’t interested in camera fines.
“We’re only interested in the impact the cameras have in encouraging people to slow down to safe and appropriate speeds and get to their destination safely.”
“This will also continue to be backed by other measures, such as maintaining a highly visible Police presence on high risk routes and other enforcement tools.