NZ's highest-earning red light camera rakes in nearly $650,000 in fines in first year
Motorists on Auckland’s North Shore have kept a red-light camera extremely busy in its first year of operation.
In the 12 months from June 2018 to June to 2019, $642,000 in fines were issued by the fixed-position camera.
It's a figure that even the AA, which supports the use of red-light cameras, says is concerning. “A camera issuing that many tickets, your're just not getting the right road safety result,” AA advisor Barney Irvine told Seven Sharp.
The camera was installed at the intersection of Esmonde Road and Fred Thomas Drive, near the Northern Motorway on-ramp, as part of a wider rollout of cameras across the city. Each new single camera costs $46,828, generally purchased by Auckland Transport and is monitored by police. “The camera there issued two-thousand tickets in the first four months of the year, and that’s way ahead of what we’re seeing on other roads with the same amount of traffic. It’s just far too high,” Mr Irvine says. The AA is now calling on Auckland Transport to investigate other options for cracking down on red-light infringements. In a statement, Auckland Transport says that it is aware that “this intersection is a high infringement zone” and that they are looking at ways to make signage and signals clearer. “This will include additional traffic lights (one that sits over the intersection) and flashing studs in the road seal to warn people of the upcoming red signal.” Mr Irvine says sometimes a red-light camera by itself just isn’t enough.
==========================================================
Unlock the Answer: Today’s Riddle is Trickier Than You Think!
What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
-
64.1% Yes
-
33.5% No
-
2.4% Other - I'll share below
BLOCKHOUSE BAY MARKET
COME AND JOIN US AT BLOCKHOUSE BAY MARKET, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, BUY NZ MADE, FIND A BARGAIN, PLEASE BRING CASH AS MOST VENDORS DI NOT HAVE EFTPOS OR SUCH. FREE PARKING OPPOSITE AT MEDICAL CENTRE OR BEHIND COMMUNITY CENTRE!