Are you at risk? New road additions have already cost Aussie drivers $41,000 in fines this week
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If you’ve driven across this area lately, you might want to check your mailbox—or your bank balance.
In just one week, more than $41,000 in speeding fines have been handed out to motorists, thanks to the state’s latest high-tech speed cameras. That’s right, folks: the days of sneaking a few kilometres over the limit and getting away with it are well and truly over.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for everyday Aussies—especially those of us who remember when a 'speed trap' meant a copper hiding behind a bush with a radar gun!
After more than two years of construction and a whopping $786 million price tag, the Bridgewater Bridge finally opened to the public in June.
Spanning 1.2 kilometres across the River Derwent in Hobart, it’s the most expensive transport infrastructure project in Tasmania’s history. But it’s not just a marvel of engineering—it’s also a showcase for the latest in road safety technology.
As part of the bridge’s grand opening, new Sensys Gatso speed cameras were installed and, after a brief grace period, switched to full enforcement mode at the start of August.
The result? In just the first week, 246 drivers were pinged for speeding, racking up a collective $41,410 in fines. Ouch!
The Department of State Growth revealed that about half of those caught were doing less than 10km/h over the limit, which still earned them a $102.50 fine and two demerit points.
At the other end of the scale, a handful of drivers were clocked at truly hair-raising speeds—one was caught 55km/h over the limit, rocketing along at 135km/h! That’s a $1,178 fine and six demerit points, not to mention a serious risk to everyone on the road.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the offences in the first week:
- 119 drivers: Less than 10km/h over the limit ($102.50 fine, 2 demerit points)
- 1 driver: 30–37km/h over the limit
- 1 driver: 38–44km/h over the limit
- 2 drivers: 45km/h or more over the limit (top fine: $1,178, 6 demerit points)
- Worst offender: 55km/h over the limit (135km/h in a 80km/h zone!)
While the fines are certainly making headlines, there’s some good news too.
Authorities report a 70% reduction in speeding incidents since the cameras went live, compared to the trial period. That means the cameras are doing their job—making the roads safer for everyone.
A spokesperson for the Department of State Growth put it plainly: 'Any level of speeding is illegal and unsafe. When lots of drivers speed by even a small amount, it makes the road network less forgiving to mistakes and more dangerous for everyone. To anyone thinking of speeding on the bridge, you will be caught.'
The new cameras are part of a broader push to modernise Tasmania’s road safety systems.
The Sensys Gatso cameras, which also replaced outdated 1990s-era models on the Tasman Bridge earlier this year, are far more accurate and harder to fool.
They’re designed to catch not just the reckless hoons, but also those who might think a 'little bit over' is harmless.
And it’s not just about revenue—though $41,000 in a week is nothing to sneeze at. The real goal is to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on our roads. After all, a few seconds saved by speeding is never worth a lifetime of regret.
Of course, not everyone is happy about the new enforcement. Some drivers have grumbled about the sudden switch from a grace period to strict fines, while others argue that the cameras are just a 'cash grab.'
But the reality is, the rules haven’t changed—just the technology enforcing them.
It’s also worth noting that the bridge was targeted by hoons just hours after it opened, with video footage showing burnouts and reckless driving. Incidents like these only strengthen the case for tougher enforcement.
Read more: Are you at risk of a $1,250 fine? Aussie drivers urged to rethink these road rules NOW
Have you been caught out by a speed camera recently? Do you think the new technology is making our roads safer, or is it just another way to squeeze money out of drivers? Maybe you’ve got a story about the 'good old days' of motoring in Australia, before all these gadgets and gizmos. Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
In just one week, more than $41,000 in speeding fines have been handed out to motorists, thanks to the state’s latest high-tech speed cameras. That’s right, folks: the days of sneaking a few kilometres over the limit and getting away with it are well and truly over.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for everyday Aussies—especially those of us who remember when a 'speed trap' meant a copper hiding behind a bush with a radar gun!
After more than two years of construction and a whopping $786 million price tag, the Bridgewater Bridge finally opened to the public in June.
Spanning 1.2 kilometres across the River Derwent in Hobart, it’s the most expensive transport infrastructure project in Tasmania’s history. But it’s not just a marvel of engineering—it’s also a showcase for the latest in road safety technology.
As part of the bridge’s grand opening, new Sensys Gatso speed cameras were installed and, after a brief grace period, switched to full enforcement mode at the start of August.
The result? In just the first week, 246 drivers were pinged for speeding, racking up a collective $41,410 in fines. Ouch!
More than $41,000 in speeding fines were issued in Tasmania during the first week of enforcement by new hi-tech cameras on the Bridgewater Bridge. Image source: Denny Müller / Unsplash.
The Department of State Growth revealed that about half of those caught were doing less than 10km/h over the limit, which still earned them a $102.50 fine and two demerit points.
At the other end of the scale, a handful of drivers were clocked at truly hair-raising speeds—one was caught 55km/h over the limit, rocketing along at 135km/h! That’s a $1,178 fine and six demerit points, not to mention a serious risk to everyone on the road.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the offences in the first week:
- 119 drivers: Less than 10km/h over the limit ($102.50 fine, 2 demerit points)
- 1 driver: 30–37km/h over the limit
- 1 driver: 38–44km/h over the limit
- 2 drivers: 45km/h or more over the limit (top fine: $1,178, 6 demerit points)
- Worst offender: 55km/h over the limit (135km/h in a 80km/h zone!)
While the fines are certainly making headlines, there’s some good news too.
Authorities report a 70% reduction in speeding incidents since the cameras went live, compared to the trial period. That means the cameras are doing their job—making the roads safer for everyone.
A spokesperson for the Department of State Growth put it plainly: 'Any level of speeding is illegal and unsafe. When lots of drivers speed by even a small amount, it makes the road network less forgiving to mistakes and more dangerous for everyone. To anyone thinking of speeding on the bridge, you will be caught.'
The new cameras are part of a broader push to modernise Tasmania’s road safety systems.
The Sensys Gatso cameras, which also replaced outdated 1990s-era models on the Tasman Bridge earlier this year, are far more accurate and harder to fool.
They’re designed to catch not just the reckless hoons, but also those who might think a 'little bit over' is harmless.
And it’s not just about revenue—though $41,000 in a week is nothing to sneeze at. The real goal is to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on our roads. After all, a few seconds saved by speeding is never worth a lifetime of regret.
Of course, not everyone is happy about the new enforcement. Some drivers have grumbled about the sudden switch from a grace period to strict fines, while others argue that the cameras are just a 'cash grab.'
But the reality is, the rules haven’t changed—just the technology enforcing them.
It’s also worth noting that the bridge was targeted by hoons just hours after it opened, with video footage showing burnouts and reckless driving. Incidents like these only strengthen the case for tougher enforcement.
Read more: Are you at risk of a $1,250 fine? Aussie drivers urged to rethink these road rules NOW
Have you been caught out by a speed camera recently? Do you think the new technology is making our roads safer, or is it just another way to squeeze money out of drivers? Maybe you’ve got a story about the 'good old days' of motoring in Australia, before all these gadgets and gizmos. Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below!
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