Fines to be issued from today after hundreds caught speeding over Bridgewater Bridge

Fines will now be issued to people caught speeding over the new Bridgewater Bridge, following a seven-week trial that found an average of 800 drivers per week were caught over the speed limit.

The bridge, one of Tasmania's most expensive infrastructure projects, was opened in June this year.


Since then, the Department of State Growth has been testing and calibrating new speed cameras on the bridge.

A department spokesperson described the results as "completely unacceptable".


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Speed cameras on the Bridgewater Bridge have caught hundreds of drivers speeding each week. (Supplied: State Growth)


The speed limit on the four-lane bridge is 80 kilometres per hour, but the department has determined an average of 800 drivers per week have broken that limit.

The maximum fine for speeding in Tasmania is $1,178 and six demerit points.

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar had a blunt message for those caught speeding.


"Speed limits exist for a reason, and anyone who drives above the legal limit is putting themselves and others at serious risk," Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said.

"Please slow down and drive to the conditions so we can prevent any more lives being lost on our roads."

The $786 million Bridgewater Bridge opened to the public on June 1, after more than two-and-a-half years of construction.


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A department spokesperson says the amount of speeding on the Bridgewater Bridge is "completely unacceptable". (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)


The 1.2 kilometre bridge spans the River Derwent and connects suburbs and regions north of Hobart.

Its opening, after years of shifting timelines and increased costs, was welcomed at the time by thousands of excited locals who chose to cross the bridge on foot.

But less than 24 hours after it opened to traffic, police were already investigating reports of reckless driving across the bridge.

Road safety council boss unsurprised​

Speaking to ABC Mornings, Road Safety Advisory Council boss Scott Tilyard said the statistics did not surprise him.

"To be honest, you do see a lot of people out there on the roads driving above the speed limit," Mr Tilyard said.

"I think a key issue with that number of 800 a week during the testing is that's 800 people who are above the threshold that police would prosecute.


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The Bridgewater Bridge opened to traffic in early June. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)


"Not just people who are over the limit — that's people who are significantly over the limit above that threshold."

Mr Tilyard said speeding was a significant factor in road accidents, with police attributing about 20 per cent of road fatalities in Tasmania to speed-related incidents.

Road deaths have almost doubled in Tasmania compared with last year — 29 people have died on the state's roads so far this year, compared with 15 at the same time in 2024.


There were 31 road deaths in Tasmania last year.

Tasmania does not have any red light cameras in operation, after they were deactivated two decades ago.

Asked if road safety could be improved by reintroducing the cameras, Mr Tilyard said they would improve safety "to some extent".


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The maximum fine for speeding in Tasmania is $1,178 and six demerit points. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)


"There's a lot of intersections and junctions where we see drivers running yellow lights, running red lights," he said.

"We wouldn't be able to afford to have cameras at all of those junctions and intersections, so a key issue is prioritising those points where red [light] cameras will provide the most benefit."

According to the Australian Automobile Association's (AAA) latest report into road safety, released on Tuesday, no state or territory is on track to meet its target of halving fatalities by 2030.


Instead, road deaths have increased by 21.1 per cent since 2021, nationally.

It found Tasmania had the second-highest rate of road deaths per 100,000 people, only behind the Northern Territory.

AAA managing director Michael Bradley said the National Road Safety Strategy was "clearly not working as planned".

"Governments cannot expect to get better results by pursuing the same failed approach," Mr Bradley said.

By Clancy Balen
 

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STRICTLY FOR REVENUE.....divided road, no cross streets ,no oncoming traffic etc I can think of better places to put these cameras..but unfortunately not as good for revenue but great for safety....especially since the offender doesn't even know they have been booked for many days after the offence
 
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Sounds a simple thing to do….
But how many drivers obey the rules? … especially the “P” plate drivers.
We call them “PROFESSIONAL” drivers🫣
Our Son-In-Law was recently fined for doing 42klm in a 40klm area. Where he lives is very hilly & he was caught going down the hill…..
Cameras shouldn’t be allowed on the down side of a hill as it’s hard to keep your speed right.😡
 
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STRICTLY FOR REVENUE.....divided road, no cross streets ,no oncoming traffic etc I can think of better places to put these cameras..but unfortunately not as good for revenue but great for safety....especially since the offender doesn't even know they have been booked for many days after the offence
Just obey the speed limit!
 
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Sounds a simple thing to do….
But how many drivers obey the rules? … especially the “P” plate drivers.
We call them “PROFESSIONAL” drivers🫣
Our Son-In-Law was recently fined for doing 42klm in a 40klm area. Where he lives is very hilly & he was caught going down the hill…..
Cameras shouldn’t be allowed on the down side of a hill as it’s hard to keep your speed right.😡
Speeding downhill is actually more dangerous than on the flat or uphill.
 
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Dear GoodEnough.
I understand what you’re saying but …. OMG….why aren’t the Police out getting other drivers who pass you like you’re stopped?

The Police are nowhere to be seen whenever drivers like that are around.

We see drivers doing such stupid things every time we are out….& I’m sure others see them as well. It just makes you so darned angry that stupid drivers never get caught yet others who do 2klm over the limit…going downhill as well, get caught.
 
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Dear GoodEnough.
I understand what you’re saying but …. OMG….why aren’t the Police out getting other drivers who pass you like you’re stopped?

The Police are nowhere to be seen whenever drivers like that are around.

We see drivers doing such stupid things every time we are out….& I’m sure others see them as well. It just makes you so darned angry that stupid drivers never get caught yet others who do 2klm over the limit…going downhill as well, get caught.
Stupid comment. As I've already said, it's MORE dangerous speeding downhill!!!! ALL speeding is wrong. drop he silly "LOOK OVER THERE!" arguments.
 
Dear GoodEnough.
I understand what you’re saying but …. OMG….why aren’t the Police out getting other drivers who pass you like you’re stopped?

The Police are nowhere to be seen whenever drivers like that are around.

We see drivers doing such stupid things every time we are out….& I’m sure others see them as well. It just makes you so darned angry that stupid drivers never get caught yet others who do 2klm over the limit…going downhill as well, get caught.
Dear member HelenB55, thankyou for your post. I agree with you. It appears that there is a lack of police presence on the roads, as they are busy dealing with crimes like domestic violence, drugs, homicide, and violence in public areas. If there were more police available, I believe they would be present on many roads. I guess that's why so many speed cameras are installed on roads and intersections. Wishing you a pleasant evening, 🙏🦋
 
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Just obey the speed limit!
Like I did. Only 255 kmh in a 100 zone on the Newell Highway on a Kawasaki ZX-10 outside of Narrandera on a beautiful windless sunny day with not another vehicle in sight!

The bike still had more legs but when the centre line disappears about 20 metres in front of you, it's time to back off.

Not a copper to be seen!

The only concern was remote possibility of wayward wildlife. Before people call me an idiot, the only idiots are the clowns in four wheeled sardine cans.
 
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Like I did. Only 255 kmh in a 100 zone on the Newell Highway on a Kawasaki ZX-10 outside of Narrandera on a beautiful windless sunny day with not another vehicle in sight!

The bike still had more legs but when the centre line disappears about 20 metres in front of you, it's time to back off.

Not a copper to be seen!

The only concern was remote possibility of wayward wildlife. Before people call me an idiot, the only idiots are the clowns in four wheeled sardine cans.
Dear member Veggiepatch, thankyou for your post. Wow after reading your post you sound like one professional driver of a mean machine, specialising in high-adrenaline motor bike riding. I take my hat off to you. You have courage and you live life to the fullest. I use to have a Ford Fairmont 2 door 1977 Coupe, that would overtake anything in the road in the first 60 kph, if my car had wings, it would definitely fly. I always had a passion for fast cars and motorbikes and would often go to events that had professional drivers drag with each other, or motorbikes that would race with each other. Veggipatch, you sound like you were one fearless, cool and respected guy amongst your peers. Veggiepatch many happy celebrations to you always. 🙏🦋
 
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