More than 500 motorists have been fined every week since new cameras were switched on to detect drivers speeding through Queensland school zones.
The six cameras, which are attached to school zone signs, began snapping drivers on August 7 after “technical issues” delayed the rollout of the initiative.
In the first three weeks of operation, between August 7-28, the cameras issued 1,607 fines to speeding drivers – the equivalent of 100 penalties every school day.
This included one motorist who was nabbed travelling between 31kph and 40kph over the speed limit, as well as 29 drivers who were snapped speeding 21kph to 30kph over the limit.
Another 234 drivers were captured on the cameras travelling between 11kph and 20kph over the limit, while the remaining fines were issued to motorists who were detected speeding up to 10kph above the limit.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey urged drivers to slow down when they were near a school.
In 2022, a total of 14,602 infringement notices were issued to speeding drivers in school zones, while 5,279 fines were given out in the five months to May 31 this year.
There are currently 19 sites set up to use the six cameras, with the final five sites to be ready before the end of October.
RACQ’s road safety and technical manager Joel Tucker said the club supported the enforcement of speed limits in Queensland and did not want anyone speeding through school zones.
In Queensland, the speed limit in school zones is typically set at 40kph, although it can be set at 60kph on roads where the normal speed is at least 80kph.
(ABC)
