Extra speed cameras from tomorrow

They are the first to be turned on from 32 that have been inactive since the election of the Baillieu Government last year.


Police Minister Peter Ryan said the decision to activate them followed a favourable report by the Auditor-General.


"It is a ringing endorsement of the role of cameras. They do save lives," Mr Ryan said.


The report found cameras were not revenue-raisers and improved road safety.


"We have had the system tested carefully over the month of September, and accordingly the cameras are ready to go," Mr Ryan said.


Last year, October was the worst month for road deaths, claiming 36 lives.


"Speed is responsible for about a third of all deaths on our roads and if these cameras slow speeding motorists down, they will save lives," Mr Ryan said.


"These cameras are located at intersections across the state to deter motorists from flouting the road rules and endangering their own lives and the lives of others."


Opposition police spokesman James Merlino accused Premier Ted Baillieu and his Government of hypocrisy.


"For years, Mr Baillieu and his colleagues have been attacking road safety cameras and have been trashing the expert advice that says cameras save lives," he said.


"This is rank hypocrisy."


The remaining 26 inactive cameras would be switched on in coming weeks and months, Mr Ryan said.


He said the 32 cameras were installed by the former Labor government more than a year ago but the Coalition Government had refused to activate them until the Auditor-General validated Victoria's road safety camera program.
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"This exhaustive report, recently tabled in Parliament, found Victoria's road safety cameras were focused on road safety, not raising revenue, and that cameras save lives," Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said the activation of the cameras was timely, given that October was the worst month on Victoria's roads in 2010, with 36 fatalities.
“Speed is responsible for about a third of all deaths on our roads and if these cameras slow speeding motorists down, they will save lives,” Mr Ryan said.
The cameras will be at intersections across the state and are to be switched on each week over the coming months.