Victoria has completed the rollout of 35 new road safety cameras, with the final unit now activated at the intersection of Dandenong and Clayton Roads in Clayton. This marks the conclusion of a major $49.4 million initiative aimed at reducing road trauma across the state.
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Targeting Speed and Red-Light Offences
The newly deployed cameras are designed to detect speeding and red-light offences. Research from the Monash University Accident Research Centre shows that the installation of such cameras correlates with a 47% reduction in crashes. The Victorian Government is banking on similar outcomes with this expanded network.
Speeding Still a Leading Cause of Road Trauma
Speeding remains a major factor in Victorian road fatalities and injuries. Each year, it contributes to approximately 100 deaths and 2,000 serious injuries. Even marginal increases in speed dramatically raise crash risk. For example, travelling just 3km/h over the speed limit can increase the likelihood of a crash by 25%. At 65km/h in a 60 zone, that risk doubles.
Reinforcing the Road Safety Action Plan
The rollout aligns with the Victorian Government's second Road Safety Action Plan, a broader $1.1 billion program over four years that aims to cut serious crashes and fatalities. The first action plan, launched in 2021, set ambitious goals to halve road deaths by 2030 and reach zero by 2050.
Revenue Goes Back Into Road Upgrades
Revenue generated from fines is directed to the Better Roads Victoria Trust. This ensures the money is reinvested into infrastructure improvements such as road resurfacing, bridge strengthening, and safety upgrades.
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More Measures to Reduce Dangerous Behaviour
The current plan includes an additional $350 million in funding for new safety programs. One key initiative is the extension of the Distracted Driving and Seatbelt Camera Program, which targets high-risk areas and common causes of crashes.
The Cost of Inaction
In the 2023-24 financial year alone, fines from road safety cameras totaled $473 million. However, the economic and social cost of road trauma in Victoria is estimated between $4 billion and $6 billion annually, justifying the government’s continued focus on enforcement and education.
Cameras Deliver Results
The deployment of these 35 cameras is expected to be a critical step toward achieving safer roads in Victoria. With enforcement now live across all new sites, authorities hope the presence of the cameras will be enough to change driver behaviour and prevent tragic outcomes.
This article is based on public government releases and media reports. All information is accurate as of May 2025 and is provided for educational and informational purposes only.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
