New traffic ‘safety cameras’ to be rolled out in Auckland

Waka Kotahi has today announced that it will roll out next-generation ‘safety cameras’ across Auckland this month.

The new cameras are able to calculate the average speed of vehicles along a certain section of road rather than recording their speed at a single location – a method that has proven to be more effective at capturing speeders according to overseas research.

“When operating in average speed mode, drivers are only ticketed if their average travel speed over the entire distance between the two cameras is over the limit – they can’t be ‘pinged’ by a single camera,” says Ms Macmillan.

She adds that each of the new cameras will be clearly signposted, giving road users a chance to check their speed and slow down if needed.

“No matter what causes a crash, speed is always a factor in its severity. By encouraging people to drive at safe speeds, these new safety cameras will help to reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured on our roads.”

The transport agency, in collaboration with Auckland Transport, will install the safety cameras on six sections of road that they have deemed to have a high crash risk, including:

• Matakana Road in Warkworth
• Kahikatea Flat Road in Dairy Flat
• East Coast Road in Redvale
• Whitford Road in Shamrock Park
• Glenbrook Road in Karaka
• Glenbrook Road in Glenbrook

Each camera will run in ‘test mode’ for the first three months of operation, meaning drivers won’t be ticketed if their average speed is above the limit. From mid-2024, they will be switched to ‘enforcement mode’ which means drivers will be penalised if caught speeding.

Construction of the cameras on Matakana Road will commence this month and will be tested in December.

“Safe speeds are vital in protecting everyone who uses our roads. These cameras will play an important part in encouraging safe travel speeds and safer driver behaviour,” says Stacey van der Putten, Executive General Manager at Auckland Transport.

“Ultimately, it’s another piece of the road safety puzzle coming together that can help us reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured on Auckland roads.”