Speed Camera News Example of "for profit" Law enforcment run amok! Sudden Speed limit "change"!
Example of "for profit" Law enforcment run amok! Sudden Speed limit "change"!
(Thanks to Camerafraud for the link).
Ban the Cams note: 80 km/h is about 50 mph and 40 km/h is about 25 mph
RiverCity Motorway, the operator of the troubled Clem7 tunnel and toll road, admits some speeding fines in error
by Robyn Ironside From: The Courier-Mail June 23, 2011 12:00AM
ANGER: Motorists are challenging Clem7 fines. Source: The Courier-Mail
CLEM7 operators have admitted some speeding fines have been wrongly issued as anger grows over a poorly signposted blitz during roadworks.
More motorists snapped allegedly speeding in the tunnel as a result of dramatically reduced speed limits have questioned the fairness of the fines.
The Courier-Mail revealed yesterday how dozens had their licences suspended for six months after being snapped 40km/h over the limit - even though they believed they were sticking to the tunnel's normal limit of 80km/h.
Tunnel operators RiverCity Motorway said variable speed signs were automatically lowered to 40km/h in response to breakdowns or other incidents and motorists should slow down accordingly.
More drivers told The Courier-Mail and radio 4BC's Greg Cary they were given next to no warning of the reduced limit or observed no 40km/h signs at all.
Related Coverage Drivers caught: Anger grows over Clem7 fines http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/clem7-drivers-unaware-they-face-licence-suspension-and-heavy-fines-for-exceeding-reduced-speed-limits/story-e6freoof-1226079482049
An employee of the traffic control company used for roadworks near the tunnel said speed signs placed at the southbound entrance to the Clem7 during evening work were different to those which were in the tunnel.
"They've been putting signs announcing 'end of roadworks 80km/h' at the entrance but the speed limit is not supposed to increase until the first speed sign in the tunnel," the worker said.
"So you've got people speeding back up to 80km/h even though the first fixed speed cameras in the tunnel are set to 40km/h.
"Anyone challenging those fines should succeed."
A spokesman for RiverCity Motorway confirmed that problem did occur, but only on one occasion on May 5.
"It is our understanding police have since retracted all the fines issued to southbound traffic on that occasion," the spokesman said.
Others have insisted the problem was more widespread, with one motorist insisting he did not see a single sign advising of the lower limit when he went through the tunnel on May 13.
"The speed limit on the outside of the tunnel was signed at 80, so I set my cruise control at 80, put my radio on and went through the tunnel," said the man, the national safety manager for a major construction company.
"There were no signs to say it was 40 and I had no sensation that I was going any faster than anyone else. There were no broken down vehicles."
He said he was now seeking legal advice about challenging the fine, which could cost him his job.
Paul Geisel also used the tunnel on May 13 and ended up with a speeding ticket for doing 74km/h in a 40km/h zone.
He said he saw the 40km/h sign but had virtually no time to react before he was snapped.
"The sign was flashing 40km as I approached a broken down vehicle. I slowed down immediately but apparently I was filmed straight away," Mr Geisel said.
The fine has left him $666 out of pocket and with six demerit points.
"In 44 years of driving, I've had all my points intact. Now in one incident I lose six," Mr Geisel said.
Another motorist snapped doing 80 in a 40 zone on May 23, said he was told by the Queensland Police Service's Traffic Camera Office, a number of fines from the tunnel were under investigation.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Articles Menu
Find Info
Latest Comments
Member Login
