Fines

By Jade Lawton
Shadow Minister for Roads, Terry Mulder, said local motorists copped 10 times the average Victorian rise of 7.4 per cent in the September quarter.
“This does not stack up … there is no evidence that the driving skills of Pakenham drivers are any worse than those of (other) motorists.”
Sergeant Mal Marsden, of Cardinia’s Traffic Management Unit, said nine new safety camera sites were approved around the shire in the last three months, including one on Racecourse Road, Pakenham.
By 30 September, that camera had checked 36,186 vehicles, with 2754 motorists fined for exceeding the road’s 60km/h limit.
Pakenham resident Kris Bernard said she had been fined twice in the past few months for travelling ‘slightly’ over the recently changed limit.
“The limit was 70km/h for so long so they know they can cheat people out of $145 a pop for driving safely on the same road they have driven on for the last 20 years,” she said.
Fellow Pakenham resident Karen Muntz said she received her first speeding ticket in 20 years on the road.
“I think everyone who uses (the road) now knows it’s 60km/h as just about every second person you speak to has had a fine there,” she said.
Pakenham Business Group vice-president Michael Porter said cameras on the bypass could have also contributed to the rise in fines, while Pakenham resident Cathy Louch said the camera on the 50 km/h Shearwater Drive was another trap for motorists.
But Sgt Marsden said the cameras appeared to be having an impact on driving habits, with serious road injuries in Cardinia down nearly 20 per cent compared to last year.
“In February we will be looking for more speed camera sites,” he said.
A State Government spokesman said the government made no apologies for the increase in cameras on the roads.
“Speed is the biggest killer on our roads and we make no apologies for providing Victoria Police with record resources which is driving down the road toll and saving lives,” he said.
“The Liberal Party has opposed our strategies to lower the road toll and keep families together. Road safety cameras have helped halve the road toll since they were introduced … our policy is to save lives.”