Nepean Highway Investigation

Following reactivation for enforcement of the reduced and safer speed limit of 40 km/h by the fixed digital road safety cameras at the intersection of Nepean Highway and Davey Street in Frankston, the Road Safety Camera Commissioner began receiving numerous enquiries and complaints in June 2022 from motorists detected for speeding and claiming that they were unaware of the recent speed limit reduction change due to perceived inadequate signage and communication.

Following two site inspections and initial enquiries with the Department of Justice and Community Safety and Victoria Police, the Commissioner wrote to the Minister for Police on 1 July 2022 informing that he would exercise his powers to investigate the systems and processes relating to the speed limit reduction that occurred within the proximity of the fixed digital road safety cameras.

It was identified that there were two concurrent speed limit reduction projects that were led and implemented by two different departments and agencies.  Reducing the speed limit from 60 km/h to 40 km/h on a major arterial road is a complicated process, not assisted by having two overlapping projects and inadequate communication between key stakeholders and with the public.  The investigation found that the fixed digital road safety cameras were operating as intended and accurately capturing motorists driving above the new speed limit of 40 km/h.  However, due to exceptional circumstances borne through the complexities of the systems and processes involved with the speed limit reduction, some motorists were not aware that the legal speed limit southbound through the intersection of Davey Street had been reduced to 40 km/h.

The Commissioner’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations can be found in the below report.  This includes recommendations relating to the speeding infringements issued, process improvements, and communication.