A major speed camera program was launched in April 1990 in Victoria involving an increase in the detection of speeding offenders and a statewide publicity campaign. This report describes Phases 1 and 2 of an evaluation study examining its effects on crashes. Phase 1 examined the general effects and Phase 2 attempted to link the effects to the various speeding deterrence mechanisms associated with the program. The results of Phase 1 indicated that the speed camera program in Victoria has been associated with decreases in the frequency of reported casualty crashes which occur in low alcohol times of the week and also decreases in their injury severity. These decreases have been calculated as departures from expected values. The program appears to have had its greatest effects on arterial roads in Melbourne and on 60 km/h roads in rural Victoria, where the majority of the speed camera operations have taken place within the respective Melbourne and county areas. This pattern of results provides further evidence that the observed effects relate to the speed camera program. The results of Phase 2 suggests that the reductions in the frequency of casualty crashes (in low alcohol hours) appeared to be linked with speed camera TINs (Traffic Infringement Notices) issued to detected drivers, and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) publicity. Reductions in the injury severity of casualty crashes (in low alcohol hours) appeared to be associated with speed camera TINs issued and hours of camera operation.
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