The first of New Zealand Transport Agency’s speed camera-equipped SUVs hit the streets of Auckland yesterday.
NZTA unveiled the rollout of the non-branded camera-equipped vehicles last week, which park on the sides of roads to monitor drivers. The vehicles are not signposted, but would be visible to drivers.
A spokesperson for the agency confirmed to 1News that the first vehicle officially went into operation yesterday.
The spokesperson wouldn’t give any details about where the vehicle was deployed, as “evidence shows that unsigned mobile safety cameras are twice as effective at reducing crashes than sign-posted cameras”.
“So while our safety cameras in SUVs and trailers will be visible to drivers and will not be hidden, they won’t be signposted.”
NZTA also planned to add trailers to its mobile speed camera fleet later this year.
By the end of the rollout, there would be 44 mobile cameras nationwide, with 35 operating at any given time.
NZTA head of regulatory strategic programmes Tara Macmillan said last week mobile speed cameras would save lives.
“Speeding drivers can cause serious and irreparable harm on the roads, including deaths and serious injuries.
“Evidence shows that we can reduce the chance of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes if drivers travel within speed limits, and that is why we have safety cameras.”
The new cameras would be deployed on a “anytime, anywhere” basis.
The exact timing and location of the cameras would be based on factors such as crash data and feedback from local communities.
“Mobile cameras will be used in places where there is a risk of people being killed or seriously injured in a crash,” Macmillan said.
It comes as NZTA prepares to take over responsibility for all speed cameras, with police no longer operating its vans. Police officers would continue to issue notices for speeding and other driving offences they detected.