ACT speed cameras generate $11.48m in 12 months

Figures provided by the ACT government show 47,900 fines have been issued to drivers on ACT roads since March 2013. Most came from the 13 fixed and 13 red-light speed cameras. Combined, they detected 45,551 instances of speeding, generating fines worth $10,882,731.

The four point-to-point cameras on Hindmarsh Drive and Athllon Drive generated 2349 infringement notices during the same period. Those fines netted $545,559. Cameras away from intersections detected the highest number of speeding drivers, with 22,799 fines issued.

Fixed red-light cameras recorded 22,752 incidents, while point-to-point cameras recorded 2349.

The data comes ahead of the release of two reviews into the ACT's speed-camera network.

Auditor-General Dr Maxine Cooper studied whether the speed cameras were in the right locations, whether they had an impact on speeding, and whether the technology was reliable.

Another review, commissioned by Attorney-General Simon Corbell, will consider the cameras' impact on crashes and speeding. Conducted by the University of NSW's Transport and Road Safety Research group, the study's findings are due to be released by the middle of the year.

Mobile cameras were introduced in the ACT in 1999, 12 months before fixed and red-light speed cameras became operational. The four point-to-point cameras were introduced in 2012. In each of the past three years, about 60,000 speeding notices were issued and about $11 million collected, including $10,798,327 in the 2012-13 financial year.

Crash data released in 2012 showed accidents at nine fixed-camera sites have not reduced since the cameras were activated.

Given to the ACT opposition, the figures showed that in many cases, drivers were involved in more crashes after the fixed cameras were installed.

Accidents increased at two fixed speed cameras - on the Federal Highway, city-bound near the Antill Street roundabout, and north-bound between the Antill Street roundabout and Zelling Road.

More crashes were recorded on the Barton Highway, between Gungahlin Drive and Ellenborough Street, but they were less frequent at the cameras on the highway between Curran Drive and Gold Creek Road.

Crash rates increased considerably near two fixed cameras on the Monaro Highway, between Lanyon Drive and Sheppard Street, and between Mugga Lane and Isabella Drive.

Reductions were recorded on the Monaro Highway near the Hindmarsh Drive overpass and on the

Tuggeranong Parkway, near the Hindmarsh Drive overpass.

NRMA's regional director for the ACT, Alan Evans, welcomed the reviews and said some speed cameras were not in appropriate locations.

''Our view is that cameras, be they fixed or point-to-point, need to be in areas where there are known hazards and known risks because of the roads or people speeding, not just for revenue raising,'' he said.

''We have some concern that some of them do not currently meet that criteria.''

Mr Evans said point-to-point cameras on Athllon Drive and fixed cameras on Tuggeranong Parkway may not change driver behaviour.

''There's a lot more to reducing road crashes and constant road trauma than just putting cameras in place, and the one thing we do know is the best way to deter people's speeding is a visible police presence.''