Support for use of radar cameras on country roads

The decision to use the Multanova radar cameras on country roads was about saving lives, Police Minister Graham Edwards said today.

Mr Edwards said he was disappointed by the response from the National Party which showed a total disregard for the 124 lives lost on country roads last year.

"This is purely a safety issue - if the Government wanted to raise revenue, as the National Party is suggesting, the last place the police would put these cameras is on country roads.  They would be better off by putting them on the freeway," Mr Edwards said.

He said the Nationals' claim that the Government had made a promise not to use the Multanova in country areas was way off-beam.

"When the Multanova was first introduced, we agreed that its focus would be in the metropolitan area, as it is particularly effective in high density areas," he said.

"However, we have never ruled out using the device in country areas."

Mr Edwards said he supported the decision by police that the Multanova would be an effective way of tackling the problem of excessive speed on country roads.

"You just need to look at the road toll to see that something has to be done to get the message through to drivers on country roads to slow down," he said.

"While our campaigns in the metro area helped cut the road toll by 12 compared with the previous year, country deaths increased by 23.

"If the Multanova makes motorists slow down and perhaps save lives, then I fully support its use anywhere in the State."