Queensland turns on mobile speed cameras disguised in work zones – UPDATE

UPDATE, 11 April 2024: The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads will soon begin issuing fines from mobile speed cameras designed to look like machinery used in roadworks.

To date, no motorists have been issued fines from the units – which have been painted bright yellow to look like equipment found on roadwork sites – and are operated in conjunction with Queensland Police.

As earlier reported, the trial period for the covert speed cameras is set to end this month, after being tested for almost two years.

Our original story continues unchanged below.

23 August 2022: Speeding motorists in Queensland will soon be caught on camera by a device disguised to look like roadworks equipment.

The big yellow box – which is manoeuvred on heavy-duty tracks similar to those used on diggers – is in fact a new type of speed camera designed to catch motorists near work sites and school zones.

The covert speed cameras were unveiled during the launch of Queensland's Road Safety Week.

The devices will be tested for two years before being approved for use full time.

The new bright yellow appliances combine a high-tech camera with a road sign to advise drivers of the correct speed limit.

The heavy-duty grader tracks help manoeuvre the devices into their roadside positions.

“Research has demonstrated a clear link between camera enforcement and reductions in speed-related fatalities and serious injuries,” Department of Transport and Main Roads Director-General Neil Scales said in a media statement.

“We asked the contractor to design and build the solar-powered roadworks speed cameras to sit on top of a mobile platform to allow for manoeuvrability around a work site,” he said.

“At school zones, the cameras will be installed in specially designed, stationary school zone signs but can be moved around as needed.”

The department will manage the program alongside Queensland Police Service, with the pilot to run until the end of April 2024.