Electronic speed cameras tossed and officers back on the road
JOBURG – No electronic speeding fines have been issued to motorists over the last few months and officers have now taken to the streets to issue fines directly.
Motorists have discovered an absence of unexpected speeding fines over the last few months because the contract with the company supplying the Metro police with electronic speed cameras has expired.
Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said, “The contract with the company supplying JMPD with speed cameras expired in January. We have started with manual speed law enforcement using speed equipment and officers at the sides of the road. When cars go over the speed limit, they are stopped, pulled over and issued with a fine,” said Minnaar.
“Previously, there were thousands of fines issued every month using electronic speed cameras. Now, we issue about 10 000 fines a month. This is not about making money through fines, but rather about improving the safety of motorists.”
Minnaar said that Metro police could not extend their contract with the speed camera contractors because it would have been illegal. He said that Metro police are in the process of advertising for a new speed camera contractor. In another six months, they will enter into a new contract with electronic speed camera contractors but will put up far fewer cameras.
“The community has complained for a long time about officers hiding behind bushes and issuing fines in the post. The new method of getting more officers on the road has already improved public perception and helped motorists to feel safer on the roads,” added Minnaar.
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