"The changes target only speed, yet several other factors claim far more lives. It cannot be a coincidence that the only one being targeted is the one that will make them loads of money", said an outraged Gavin Goeldner, spokesman for the NMAA.

According to Queensland Transport's Road Traffic Crashes in Queensland alcohol and drugs, (28% of fatal crashes) disobeyed traffic rules, (28%) and inexperience (24%) together killed 238 on the roads in 2001. "What is the government doing about these?", he asked. Speeding is currently reported as a factor in 17% of fatal crashes.

"It is no coincidence that since the introduction of mobile speed cameras in early 1997, and the law enforcement focus changed, the Queensland road toll has sharply reversed its previous downward trend. We want to see police concentrating on criminals and serious breaches of the traffic code. It stands to reason that shifting focus to the larger factors would yield much better results in terms of reducing fatal accidents."

"A mere 5% of all reported crashes are attributed to speed, and unlike police patrols speed cameras cannot check for drunk or unlicenced driving, stolen cars, or any number of other driving behaviors that can get people killed. It's the dumb, easy but lucrative option."

With inexperience involved in so many fatal crashes we would like to see the scope of driver education expanded substantially. Driving at night, on wet roads, or at highway speeds should not be something that people learn to do safely only after getting their drivers licence. Mr. Goeldner said

"Despite the propaganda, fixed speed cameras, or 'greed cameras' as we call them, have failed as a road safety initiative in other states and have galvanized the public's perception that they are only used to raise revenue.

"We are also very concerned that the severely increased penalties including automatic loss of licence, will increase the likelihood of high speed car chases. Offenders may feel they have little else to lose, thus endangering not only themselves, but the police and general public too." he cautioned.

"Cameras are never an effective substitute for police patrols. Experience with City Safe cameras in Brisbane and speed cameras in Queensland demonstrates this. They fail to detect most offences because they cover only small areas at a time. The rape of a 20 year old shop assistant metres away from a City Safe camera has called the effectiveness of these cameras into question .