NON-LOCAL drivers are being detected by fixed road safety cameras and mobile safety cameras far more frequently than local drivers.

An analysis of the top 15 Victorian suburbs for infringements from fixed cameras revealed non-local drivers were detected seven times more frequently than their local counterparts for both speed and red light – showing some drivers are still taking dangerous risks when they think no one is watching.

Non-local drivers received more than 88 per cent of fixed camera infringements issued across the top 15 suburbs, with locals accounting for nearly 12 per cent – clocking up 186,419 and 24,827 fines respectively.

The top 15 suburbs for driving infringements are

Heidelberg, Melbourne, Avondale Heights, Frankston, Moorooduc, Rowville, West Melbourne, Footscray, Sunshine West, St Kilda, Chadstone, Keysborough, Southbank, Oakleigh East and Bundoora recorded the most infringements – accounting for almost half of all fixed camera infringements across the state.

In the top 15 suburbs for mobile road safety cameras which regularly rotate locations, non-local drivers account for more than 57 per cent of infringements while local drivers accounted for 42 per cent – a total of 41,881 and 30,592 fines respectively.

This shows that local drivers have a greater awareness of fixed camera locations in their area and modify their behaviour accordingly, resulting in fewer infringements.

But when both groups are equally unaware of camera locations, they commit a similar number of offences – showing that drivers continue to speed in areas where they think they won’t be caught and demonstrating the importance of mobile cameras.

Speed remains a major factor in fatal collisions, despite research which shows that reducing speed by just five kmph in a 60 kmph zone can decrease crashes by up to 15 per cent.

The Quarter 3 2023/24 data shows all road safety camera infringements by location issued between January and March 2024 and is available at vic.gov.au.

Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said: “Every time a driver chooses to speed or run a red-light, they are playing a dangerous game and putting at lives risk.”