What are speed cameras?
Speed cameras are electronic devices that can detect the speed of vehicles using radar technology or detectors in the road. The camera will take a picture of a vehicle if it is driving over the speed limit.
The picture will show the colour, type, make and numberplate of the car or vehicle. This information is compared to the registered owner of the car to identify the likely driver, and this person will then receive an infringement notice. They may or may not be the person who was driving at the time.
Fixed, mobile, average, and red light cameras
The most common type of speed camera is a fixed speed camera, which is installed in a permanent roadside location. Alternatively, mobile speed cameras are moveable devices, and can include hand-held cameras used by police officers at the side of the road, or cameras attached to a mobile police vehicle.
Red-light speed cameras are placed at traffic intersections and detect vehicles travelling over the stop line, or entering the intersection after the lights have turned red. Red light speed cameras also detect vehicles exceeding the speed limit.
Average speed cameras measure the amount of time it takes a vehicle to drive between two points, calculating the average speed of the vehicle. If that average speed is higher than the speed limit, the driver will receive a penalty. Average speed cameras only detect heavy vehicle speeding.
Consequences of a speeding fine
If you are caught speeding by a speed camera, a penalty notice will be issued, and you will likely incur a fine and licence demerit points. Depending on the speed of the vehicle and the licence you hold, your licence may also be suspended or disqualified.
Learn more about the possible consequences and penalties for speeding offences.
Our expertise in defending speed camera charges
Our work has been instrumental in developing the available defences for speed camera prosecutions. In a notable case, we took the RTA (now RMS) to the Supreme Court and won, setting a precedent that is now commonly applied in Local Court prosecutions.
We achieved outstanding results for thousands of motorists prosecuted relating to the use of speed cameras in the Lane Cove Tunnel and around King Georges Road, where there was a distinct lack of signage regarding the placement of speed cameras and the declaration of an extended school zone. Over ten thousand speeding infringement notices were withdrawn.
