At the AA, we’re focused on road safety and keeping New Zealand drivers informed. Speed cameras play a vital role in reducing accidents, but they also generate significant revenue—raising questions about their effectiveness and placement. Let's take a look at the data. 

Police data from 58 active fixed speed cameras around New Zealand shows 371,273 tickets were issued in 2023, totalling $29,938,290 in fines. The camera on Mill Rd in Counties Manukau was the highest grossing machine in the country, taking in a cool $2,573,900 in the 12-month period between January and December.

Changes to look out for on the roads

Alcohol, drugs, and excess speed are significant contributors to New Zealand’s road toll, and a new approach to enforcement practices will soon result in some noticeable changes on the roads.

In 2022, 372 people died on the country’s roads, with Ministry of Transport figures showing drugs and alcohol having been a contributing factor 178 deaths, and 114 people having died in incidents involving speed.

The Government has set out a revised road policing programme which has upped the ante to combating drink driving. Road users are likely to see breath screening checkpoints more frequently with Police having been set a new target to conduct 3.3 million breath tests a year. This is an increase on the old goal of 3 million.

Breath screening is a final line of defence in stopping impaired drivers harming themselves and others, however increasing the presence of checkpoints also acts as a deterrence. People are less likely to risk drinking and driving in the first place if there is a higher likeliness of getting caught.

The Government also intends on introducing roadside saliva-based drug testing by the end of 2024 with an initial target of 50,000 tests having been set.

People will also notice new signs warning them of speed cameras. This initiative began in July in Northland after the Government announced its intention to mark all fixed speed cameras nation-wide with signage.

The new signage gives road users an opportunity to check their speed and slow down in camera-zones, which are high-risk areas where authorities want to deter people from travelling at dangerous speeds. Mobile cameras will remain unmarked.

The Government’s goal is to have all permanent speed camera zones marked with signage by June 2025.