21 June 2018

Auckland’s six new red light safety cameras will begin enforcing today.

Calibration is complete on the six cameras, which were delivered to Auckland and installed in late 2017.

The cameras are owned, and maintained, by Auckland Transport and NZ Police is responsible for their enforcement.

Mayor Phil Goff says “two weeks ago I spoke with the Minister of Police and Associate Minister of Transport to ensure maximum cooperation between Police and Council in activating the new red light cameras. I am pleased they have responded so promptly.

“As a motorcyclist I know well the risk posed by vehicles running red lights and have lost family members and friends in road fatalities. Red light cameras are proven technology that saves lives and having the cameras operating in hot spots around Auckland will help reduce red light running and make our roads safer.

“The six red light cameras in operation from today will be added to over the next ten years with 42 more and help bring down Auckland’s road toll which has increased by over 70 per cent in the last three years.

“Auckland Council is working closely with Government to prioritise road safety initiatives. We will be investing heavily in road safety measures with the regional fuel tax over the next 10 years, directly and indirectly contributing over half a billion dollars more into keeping people safe on our roads,” said Mayor Goff.

AT’s Chief Executive Officer, Shane Ellison, says making roads safer for Aucklanders is AT’s top priority, and enforcement through the use of red light cameras is a key measure in achieving this.

“Auckland Transport is committed to making our roads safer for our communities, and we are working in partnership with NZ Police to do this.”

Superintendent Steve Greally, National Manager of Road Policing, says running red lights is dangerous and is simply not worth it. You could cause a crash and seriously injure yourself, or someone else.

“Our Police work hard every day trying to stop risky driver behaviour, this includes people running red lights. Drivers need to remember that decisions they make impact not only them and their passengers, but everyone else on the road.

“This is why Police continues to work alongside road safety partners such as Auckland Transport, as we all want the same thing – to prevent death and injury on our roads.”

The six cameras are in the following intersections:

· Lincoln Road/ Swanson Road,

· Lincoln Road/ Te Pai Place,

· Albany Highway/Oteha Valley Road,

· Great North Road/ Karangahape Road,

· Blockhouse Bay Road/ New North Road

· Esmonde Road/ Fred Thomas Drive.

Overall, signalised intersection injury crashes have been trending upwards since 2012.

In Auckland, between 2012 and 2017, there were 92 fatal and serious injury crashes due to red light running.

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