NSW in reverse over tunnel fines
Email Print Normal font Large font David Braithwaite
May 30, 2007 - 12:17PM
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AdvertisementThe State Government has backed down in the face of outrage over speed camera fines in the Lane Cove Tunnel, with people booked driving between 40kmh and 80kmh to have their fines cancelled.
Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal made the announcement at a media conference this morning, after an earlier reversal when he promised a review due to "anomalies" in speeding penalty figures.
Mr Roozendaal told reporters the retrospective fine amnesty would expire tonight, when the regular penalty regime would be back in force.
Some of the 10,000 motorists caught speeding in the tunnel's first six weeks said they were unaware the limit was cut from 80 to 40 kmh overnight and face a $590 fine and three-month driving suspension.
They said they did not notice any warning signs and saw no any evidence of maintenance work.
Yesterday, Roads Minister, Eric Roozendaal flatly refused to review the fines, saying speeding was a serious issue and that disgruntled motorists could pursue their case through the court system.
However, Mr Roozendaal abruptly reversed his position this morning.
He said new figures revealed that 44 per cent of the 13,500 people fined for speeding in the tunnel were booked for travelling above 40kmh.
This "additional information" had encouraged him to review the tunnel's signage and "if possible, give people the benefit of the doubt".
"Clearly that's an anomaly and that's only in the westbound tunnel - that says to me that we need to go back and check that," Mr Roozendaal told Alan Jones on Radio 2GB this morning.
As part of its review, the government would examine tunnel signage and freeze the further processing of fines for people booked driving at more than 40kmh in the tunnel, Mr Roozendaal said.
"I am concerned about those people being booked for doing over the 40-kilometre limit," he said.
"I think it is reasonable if people think they're doing the right thing for them to at least be treated fairly.
"I've got no reason to believe there's any technical issues with the camera but I've asked the RTA to meet with Connector Motorways and go over the issues in relation to signage."
NSW Premier Morris Iemma today said he had spoken to Mr Roozendaal late yesterday to get him to change his mind.
"My position to his actions in having this matter reviewed, it's a starting point," he told reporters.
"We want this matter examined, if there's a doubt the benefit goes to the public."
Mr Iemma said the finer details of the review were yet to be determined, but he believed a moratorium had been called on all fines issued in the Lane Cove tunnel.
The Government's change of heart comes after widespread concern over the fairness of the fines, including a plea from the tunnel's operator, plans for a class action and the threat of a boycott.
Many motorists said they would avoid the new toll road, and one driver, Alex Lewis, has set up a website called tunnelboycott.com.
A lawyer, Dennis Miralis, is calling for drivers to come forward for a class action. He says the failure to give motorists enough warning of the changing speeds did not comply with regulations.
Even Ian Hunt, the chief executive of the tunnel's operator, Connector Motorways, said he had sympathy for people who were caught. He has asked the Government and RTA to review the fines.
"I think what we have seen today is that people have raised an issue of anomalies, and because of that I'm supporting calls for a review of the infringement process to ensure everything is clean," he said.
He admitted that a $590 fine made the trip through the tunnel "an expensive run", yet was not worried it would put people off using the road. The latest traffic numbers released publicly had been disappointing.
But many of the drivers who contacted the Herald said they would join the boycott, including Michael Cauchi, who faces a $590 fine and a three-month licence suspension for driving at 82 kmh in what he thought was an 80 zone. Without his car, he could lose his job as an audio engineer or have to move house.
"I don't use [the tunnel] any more at all," he said. "I pass straight past it. Not only for that reason, but there's always roadworks there. You want to use the Lane Cove Tunnel to go faster, not slower."
His workmate, David Luke, was caught four times in six days for driving at around 60kmh in a 40kmh zone. He owes $950 and will lose his licence for the rest of the year. He already boycotts the tunnel.
One driver said she was a midwife, who would not be able to help deliver babies while her licence was suspended.
"There is no safe level of speeding and drivers need to take responsibility for their actions and slow down," he said.
The opposition roads spokesman, Duncan Gay, said the Government should review the fines and revoke them. "People should not be made to pay for the Government not signing a tunnel properly," he said. "These people were not hoons ... the fair-go principle should be put in place."
Responsibility for signage within the tunnel rests with Connector Motorways, but the RTA looks after the speed cameras and manages most of the signage in the lead-up to the tunnel. Connector Motorways said it would re-examine its signs and warnings.
- with Jordan Baker, Alexandra Smith and AAP