The roll out of speed camera warning signs will alert more drivers to travel at safer speeds though high-risk areas, the AA says.

New Zealand’s first permanent speed camera with warning signs began operating on State Highway 1 between Kawakawa and Moerewa in Northland this week.

Over the next 12 months the Government has committed to install the warning signs ahead of all permanent speed cameras across the country, which is something the AA has long called for.

“Signs to let drivers know there is a permanent camera ahead will be more effective at slowing people down in those higher-risk locations,” says AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen.

“Speed cameras are primarily about deterring people from speeding, not punishing them. No one wants a ticket, so giving people the opportunity to check their speed and slow down through high-risk crash areas if is better than issuing a ticket and relying on them to remember to slow down next time.”

One of the country’s few permanent cameras that has had some form of signage is at Kauri, also on State Highway 1, in Northland. The signs warn drivers to ‘Reduce Speed Now’, and since being installed in 2018, speeding infringements more than halved.

“That’s a significant reduction in people speeding and the AA expects adding warning signage will see similar drops in people exceeding the speed limit at other permanent camera sites,” Dylan says.

He says the ‘no surprises’ approach using signs to warn drivers is a fairer way of getting people to slow down. 

Having warning signs ahead of permanent cameras is an approach taken in many other countries and it is important to also note that mobile cameras and Police officers will continue to operate just as they do now, with no warning signage.

The AA is pleased to see the nationwide signage programme finally being rolled out after years of delays.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Dylan Thomsen
AA road safety spokesperson
Mob. 027 703 9935
Email. Dthomsen@aa.co.nz