Chester says ANPR cameras will target safety on key freight corridors and black spots
A new initiative that will see automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras being installed across Queensland’s road freight network has kicked off.
Part of a joint venture between the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the federal Department of Transport and Infrastructure, the program will see new heavy vehicle cameras installed at many regional locations.
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto and federal infrastructure and transport minister Darren Chester say the new cameras will boost safety and compliance efforts along freight routes.
“As we bring these cameras on line, authorities can better detect risky behaviour and unsafe practices by heavy vehicles on our roads, which helps narrow our focus for compliance and enforcement efforts,” Petroccitto says.
“National visibility of vehicle movements will allow the NHVR and other enforcement agencies to identify drivers and operators who systematically flout fatigue laws.”
The first of the three cameras have been installed in Goodna, with more cameras to be installed over the next 12 months at Barcaldine and near Morven in regional Queensland.
“The high-tech monitoring cameras will be used to encourage safer driving practices on our major heavy vehicle routes and freight network,” Chester says.
“The new cameras are being delivered in conjunction with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and will continue to target safety on key freight corridors and black spots.”
The initiative has been welcomed by federal member for Maranoa David Littleproud.
“Trucks and heavy vehicles are the lifeblood of our transport network in the bush,” Littleproud says.
“The Coalition is heavily investing in upgrading key freight corridors throughout regional Queensland to not only make sure transportation happens efficiently, but also to keep our roads safe.
“Near Morven is a junction between the Warrego and Landsborough Highways and near Barcaldine is where the Capricorn and Landsborough Highways meet.
“These two areas represent very important transportation connections in my electorate so it makes sense safety is a priority.
“These cameras will be a part of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s National Compliance Information System, which will amalgamate compliance and camera data from States and Territories to provide a national set of heavy vehicle related compliance and monitoring data.”
The NHVR is currently working with other state road transport authorities to identify additional camera sites along the busiest freight routes to maximise heavy vehicle monitoring capability.