South West motorists have taken to social media claiming police are taking advantage of newly changed speed zones to catch them unawares.
Amid regular calls about “revenue raising,” the outcry comes as speed limits across hundreds of local government roads are changing due to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s partnership with the RAC.
The three-year Safer Speeds trial includes Main Roads WA changing speed signs on about 500 roads with new, lower limits which include hotly debated locations such as Redgate and Cowaramup Bay roads.
Posters on social media during the past fortnight have alleged local police are embracing “easy pickings” with enthusiasm.
WA Police denied concerns about “revenue raising”.
“All speed camera revenue goes to the Road Trauma Trust Account and is used on initiatives to reduce road trauma in WA as recommended by the Road Safety Council,” a spokesperson said.
Police noted speed was one of the leading contributors to road crashes and officers had discretion when it came to infringements — including consideration of recent changes to speed limits.
“Local police and road policing command are continuing high visibility patrols as part of a targeted initiative to reduce road trauma and promote safer driving behaviour,” the spokesperson said.
“Police will be conducting patrols anywhere, anytime, with a strong focus on areas identified as high risk for speeding-related incidents.”
Shire president Julia Jean-Rice acknowledged the speed changes could be frustrating with many residents were accustomed to driving at the previous speeds.
The president noted consultation was undertaken before the trial and residents could still leave feedback for the first 12-month review.
She directed drivers to yoursay.amrshire.wa.gov.au/safer-speeds-trial-2.
Shane Vowels said online the new rules were “for safety” but questioned the timing of the enforcement.
“Just happens to coincide with it being the end of the month and having to make those quotas too.”
Other residents said there were bigger road safety factors to consider in winter than speed.
“Road safety? And yet people are driving around hitting potholes and damaging vehicles,” Margaret River man Peter Simmonds said.
“There is a hell of a lot more to road safety than driving a few kays (sic) over some arbitrary speed limit.”
Other commentators voiced dissatisfaction at the steady creep of more lowered speed limits in the region as part of the RAC trial.
“All the huge volume of traffic coming to the area over the coming decades is going to slow everything down naturally,” resident Andrew Home said.
https://thewest.com.au/news/augusta-margaret-river-times/concerns-cops-swooping-on-safer-speeds-trial-road-to-catch-speeding-motorists-unaware-c-19658507
