Non-local drivers are being detected by fixed road safety cameras and mobile safety cameras far more frequently than local drivers.
An analysis of the top 15 suburbs for infringements from fixed cameras revealed non-local drivers were detected seven times more frequently than their local counterparts for both speed and red light - showing some drivers are still taking dangerous risks when they think no one is watching.
Non-local drivers received more than 88 per cent of fixed camera infringements issued across the top 15 suburbs, with locals accounting for nearly 12 per cent - clocking up 186,419 and 24,827 fines respectively.
Heidelberg, Melbourne, Avondale Heights, Frankston, Moorooduc, Rowville, West Melbourne, Footscray, Sunshine West, St Kilda, Chadstone, Keysborough, Southbank, Oakleigh East and Bundoora recorded the most infringements - accounting for almost half of all fixed camera infringements across the state.
In the top 15 suburbs for mobile road safety cameras which regularly rotate locations, non-local drivers account for more than 57 per cent of infringements while local drivers accounted for 42 per cent - a total of 41,881 and 30,592 fines respectively.
This shows that local drivers have a greater awareness of fixed camera locations in their area and modify their behaviour accordingly, resulting in fewer infringements.
But when both groups are equally unaware of camera locations, they commit a similar number of offences - showing that drivers continue to speed in areas where they think they won't be caught and demonstrating the importance of mobile cameras.
Speed remains a major factor in fatal collisions, despite research which shows that reducing speed by just five kmph in a 60 kmph zone can decrease crashes by up to 15 per cent.
The Quarter 3 2023/24 data shows all road safety camera infringements by location issued between January and March 2024 and is available at vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Police Anthony Carbines
"Every time a driver chooses to speed or run a red-light, they are playing a dangerous game and putting at lives risk."
"The number of lives lost on Victorian roads is already higher than this time last year - we could change this overnight simply by taking more care on our roads."
"It's not good enough to only follow the road rules when you know where road safety cameras are located. It's incumbent upon all of us to do the right thing every time we drive to keep everyone safe."
As stated by Head of Road Safety at TAC Samantha Cockfield
"It has been such a devastating year on our roads and it is so important that Victorians are making safe choices and obeying the law when using the roads."
