As Australian roads bustle with the usual traffic, authorities are now finding ways to catch drivers who break the law.

A seemingly innocuous ute has been turning heads and sparking debate among drivers.

An Isuzu ute has been recently spotted on a busy motorway, and it was not carrying tools or worksite equipment.

It, however, carried something on its closed tray: speed detection equipment.

The 'hidden' equipment ignited a fiery discussion among motorists, as some accused the police of using the unmarked vehicle for 'revenue raising'.

Other motorists took a different stance and argued that the presence of such equipment is a straightforward deterrent.

Motorists spotted an Isuzu ute decked out with speed detection equipment, which raised concerns. Image Credit: Facebook

'If you don't speed, they won't get your money,' one argued.

A SAPOL spokesperson confirmed that their speed camera arsenal now included different vehicles.

'Since the retirement of the Holden brand in Australia, SAPOL's fleet now includes a variety of makes and models, which undergo testing to ensure they are suitable for use within SA,' the spokesperson shared.

'SAPOL employed a number of methods to monitor speed and driver behaviour on our roads, including overt and covert mobile speed cameras.'

Over a thousand motorists shared their opinions about the SAPOL's actions.

Some advocated for unmarked speed detection.

'If you're doing the right speed, there's no need to look out for them,' one commented.

'Don't do the wrong thing, and you won't be given a fine. It's as simple as that,' another echoed the sentiment.

However, some individuals expressed their frustration over the number of fines issued through roadside cameras.

'This is not about prevention but rather revenue! Otherwise, they would use branded vehicles,' a disgruntled driver remarked.

Another suggested that funds could be allocated to educating new drivers on road rules rather than revenue-raising tactics.

Despite the mixed reactions, SAPOL maintained its transparency by publishing the locations of its mobile speed cameras on its website.

This would let drivers know where the detection cameras are stationed throughout the day.

The fines for those caught by a camera range between $202 for driving less than 10km/h over the speed limit, to a hefty $1900 for exceeding the limit by 45km/h or more.

This 'hidden' detail in the back of the ute could be a reminder to all drivers about the importance of adhering to road rules.

It also raised questions about the balance between enforcement and education and the best methods to ensure road safety.

Key Takeaways

• An Isuzu ute on a South Australian motorway has been identified as having mobile speed detection equipment.
• SA Police confirmed that since the retirement of Holdens, their fleet has started including various vehicles equipped with speed cameras.
• The tactic of unmarked speed detection vehicles sparked debate among motorists, as some saw it as a revenue-raising strategy.
• SA Police started publishing the locations of their mobile speed cameras online, and fines for speeding depend on the level of the speed breach.

What's your take on this approach to speed monitoring? Is it a fair tactic in the name of safety, or do you think otherwise? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below.

 

[Baz1960]

Isn't a Speedo check a standard part of a car service?

Generally, not. Calibration equipment for odometers is not a common tool.

 

[Dynamo]

Kia refused to fix it under warranty because the ADR says speedo's can be out by up to 14kph. No exclusion in the warranty. Why should we pay to fix when they should be accurate in the first place. Driving 14kph under the speed limit is not different to driving 14kph over the speed limit. Dangerous.

 

[Grahamclarke]

Great idea let’s have more. If you don’t speed you don’t get fined. Just look at the number of drivers fined when they switched the last lot of cameras on to detect using mobile phones, 2540 bring in 1.6 million 3 drivers also lost their licence in just one month. But would like to now we’re the money is spent

 

[Viellarde]

Isn't a Speedo check a standard part of a car service?

And it will be serviced according to the acceptable standard. Merry-go-round? I don't know much about modern/new cars, but if the speedo is out by 10kms or 14, wouldn't the driver 'feel' the extra speed over the advertised limit? One certainly would in an older car. I've been fined twice doing 63kms in a 60 zone. That was many years ago.

 

[Phantom55]

its like smacking a child a week after being naughty..you need the receive the punishment as fast as possible after the offence...its easy money to sit and let a machine do the work its like printing press to print money. if ,as they say speed kills why not limit all cars to a speed of say 90kph, why have a car that does 200ks, what possible use is200kph, in what situation? why is it necessary to have such horsepower?... gearing can be made to climb any hill , one doesn't have to climb hills at. 90 kph +...RADAR MEANS BIG MONEY AT LITTLE OUTLAY, let them give the money to the hospitals who have to handle the results of accidents and can use the extra money to save lives

 

[freedy50]

No problem with that. You never know what unmarked police cars you may be going past every day. They have enough equipment on board to catch people anyway.

The indicated speed can't be less than the true speed of the vehicle and it can show up to 10% above your actual speed. The standard they go by allows a range between zero to 10% +4km/h. With that it seems your speed can range from 100 to 114 km/h. Obviously it's advised not to do that. Although manufacturers set it at about 5%.

 

[Veggiepatch]

BS, road tolls have decreased since 2006, you are making up rubbish.

Not entirely correct.

The year 2020 registered the lowest road toll in Australia with 1097 fatalities since 1944 when 1089 deaths occurred. Since then, there has been a gradual increase each year from 2021 (1130), 2022 (1180) to 2023 (1258).

By extrapolation of the first eight months data of 2024, the 2023 figure is most likely to be exceeded - an estimated 1295 deaths.

So the theory of an increase in speed detection devices and "safer" vehicles goes out the window.

 

[Greg350]

Not entirely correct.

The year 2020 registered the lowest road toll in Australia with 1097 fatalities since 1944 when 1089 deaths occurred. Since then, there has been a gradual increase each year from 2021 (1130), 2022 (1180) to 2023 (1258).

By extrapolation of the first eight months data of 2024, the 2023 figure is most likely to be exceeded - an estimated 1295 deaths.

So the theory of an increase in speed detection devices and "safer" vehicles goes out the window.

And you're full of BS too.

Have another look at those figures, peaked in 1970 at 3,200 odd, has been in a downtrend since, obviously with some minor ups along the way.

 

[Greg350]

Not entirely correct.

The year 2020 registered the lowest road toll in Australia with 1097 fatalities since 1944 when 1089 deaths occurred. Since then, there has been a gradual increase each year from 2021 (1130), 2022 (1180) to 2023 (1258).

By extrapolation of the first eight months data of 2024, the 2023 figure is most likely to be exceeded - an estimated 1295 deaths.

So the theory of an increase in speed detection devices and "safer" vehicles goes out the window.

And there were 1601 deaths in 2006, last year 1250 odd.
Which is the bigger number?

 

[Macarj]

My point is that nobody knows how fast they are driving because their speedo don't do what it are supposed to do, and that show how fast we are driving. so people have to rely on GPS which isn't always accurate and not admissible in court and neither is faulty speedo's despite the government passing the speedo rule in the first place. And that is REVENUE raising.

You can get your speedo calibrated at the mechanic

 

[Veggiepatch]

BS, road tolls have decreased since 2006, you are making up rubbish.

THIS is the epitome of bullshit!

And there were 1601 deaths in 2006, last year 1250 odd.
Which is the bigger number?

You are mathematically inept. Which is the larger number? Is it 1258 for the year 2023 or 1097 for the year 2020? You have a strange concept of numerical values.

How about 1926 you flop? A mere 700 deaths for that year.

Next thing is you will be quoting deaths attributed to horse drawn vehicles in the 1800s. Just to suit your narrative.

 

[Catherines]

Inaccurate speedo's have nothing to do with it. People speed because they can and the majority of the time they get away with it. When they get caught they complain like hell and blame the cops. It's their own fault and if they weren't speeding they wouldn't be fined - it's as simple as that. Do the right thing and they won't need these vehicles.

100% agree!!

 

[Catherines]

Speed cameras in South Australia are not about saving lives, they are about raising revenue, not saving lives. I have no objection to speed cameras, it is where they place them. Example, where there is a change in the speed limit zone or at the bottom of a hill. They are never placed where fatalities have occurred.

In most cases change from one speed zone to a slower, or higher, speed is usually marked with a warning that indicates the speed is about to change. If the government in each state didn’t fine drivers for unsafe road usage (or REVENUE RAISE as so many call it) many, many more lives would be lost. It is about saving our lives & the lives of innocent people, including our road workers doing their jobs.

So stop this garbage about revenue raising - you could become a road fatality statistic one day yourself & your family will suffer because of your stupidity or the stupidity of others.

 

[Citizen]

I bought a brand new Mazda and the speeds out by 4k. I use cruise control which allows me to watch the road. Without cruise control my concentration is on the speed not the road. I know of truck drivers who drive through citilink tunnels watching the speed more than the road. This is not making safer drivers just scared drivers.

 

[ronaldwally0]

As I maintain === there is no need to worry if you are doing the right thing by our road laws.

 

[DEL boy]

Remember, if you change tyre sizes from the ones specified it can vary your speedo reading. Larger diameter, or deeper tread will indicate on your speedo, you are travelling faster than you actually are by checking GPS and /or by stop watch checks on kilometre road posts, and visa versa.

 

[terri]

Driving with a speedo 14k out is not an excuse. If you are doing 14k more than all drivers around you, you should notice you are going faster than the traffic. Not an excuse.

 

[Fanger]

I would surmise that the majority of views denouncing speed cameras as revenue raisers are excedding the speed limit.