The Northern Territory Police, Fire & Emergency Services are continuing to urge members of the public to drive with caution on Territory roads following the release of stats from The Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI).
Four speed and red light cameras were installed last month at intersections in Woolner, Coconut Grove and Berrimah and are currently undergoing a trial period before becoming operational in October.
Bob Rennie, Superintendent of the Greater Darwin Regional Command Support Division said that these numbers were appalling.
"While most Territorians comply with road laws, it seems that road safety messages are falling on some deaf ears. NTPFES members are tired of attending crashes, knowing that by simply paying more attention, these people could have avoided the situation".
From the week beginning Monday 07 through to Sunday 13 September, 1762 people were detected speeding through the new cameras and 599 were caught travelling through a red light.
"That is 2361 people in one week which is an average of 337 per day, caught breaking the law in these four intersections alone.
"That is thousands of fatalities and injuries averted, purely down to dumb luck.
"I hope that some of these statistics get through to people, sending a clear and concise message that speeding and being careless on the roads, is completely unacceptable and life threatening" Superintendent Rennie said.
Four more speed and red light cameras are to be installed by the end of December 2009 in Coconut Grove, Stuart Park, Berrimah and Rapid Creek.
The cameras are being installed inline with recommendations of the Road Safety Taskforce aiming to reduce trauma on Territory roads. The installation of the first cameras at Pinelands has modified driver behaviour significantly with offences reduced from 250 to around 50 per day.
Penalties for red light offences include a $240 fine and 3 demerit points and speeding offences start at $100 fines and 1 demerit point.
Media note: Bob Rennie will be available for interview at 2:00 pm at the Nightcliff Police Station.
Media contact:
Amy Sloan
8922 3365
