Police Minister Paul Holloway has approved a massive 55% increase in the target for speed detection hours by police for this year, Shadow Police Minister Rob Lucas said today.
The target for speed detection hours this year (mobile cameras, mobile radars and lasers) is ≥ 125,000 compared to the target last year of 80,678 – a massive increase of at least 44,322 hours on last year’s target.
When actual performance is measured, the increases in recent years are even more stunning. Recent budget papers show:
Actual Speed Detection Hours
2005-06 114,090 (est)
2004-05 122,460
2003-04 75,829
2002-03 73,608
2001-02 77,743
This table shows a massive increase of 47% or 36,347 hours since 2001-02.
Whilst the target for this year is ≥ 125,000, it should be noted that in recent years the actual hours are always significantly higher than the target for each year.
“For obvious road safety reasons, the Liberal Party supports a modest increase in speed detection hours,” Mr Lucas said today.
“However, Mr Holloway must explain why he has approved such a massive increase in the target for speed detection hours.
“Perhaps Mr Holloway does not understand that if more and more police spend more and more hours on speed cameras, then police will have fewer available hours for tackling street crime and other crimes that are of major concern to South Australian families.”