Point-to-point average speed cameras are digital road safety cameras used on selected roads to detect speeding. They calculate a vehicle’s average speed by measuring how long it takes to travel between two camera locations. The cameras can also detect speed at each individual camera location.
Warning signs are placed before these locations to let drivers know that cameras are operating and encourage them to follow the speed limit and road rules.
To learn more about point-to-point average speed cameras and how they contribute to making Victoria’s roads safer for all road users, watch the video below.
How point-to-point average speed cameras work
These cameras work based on a pair of locations (an entry and exit location). They are placed along sections of road and work together as a system.
Each location includes:
- an in-road sensor that detects a passing vehicle
- a camera that takes a time-stamped image of each passing vehicle.
The camera uses computer vision software to read vehicle number plates from the captured images. The system then matches the number plates across the camera locations to determine how long a vehicle took to travel between the two locations. This travel time and the distance between the two locations is then used to calculate the average speed of the vehicle.
If a vehicle takes less time than it should at the legal speed limit, the system works out that the vehicle was speeding. It then flags the potential offence for review.
The camera also checks the speed of the vehicle at each location.
Victoria Police review
Each time a road safety camera or camera system detects a potential offence, it is thoroughly checked. A fine is only issued if Victoria Police is satisfied that an offence has occurred.
This process follows the rules in the Road Safety Act 1986(opens in a new window).
Camera accuracy
The shortest distance between each pair of camera locations is measured by a licensed surveyor in accordance with the Road Safety Act 1986(opens in a new window) and Surveying Act 2004(opens in a new window). This measured shortest distance is used in the calculation to determine the vehicle’s average speed.
Penalties
If you are caught speeding by a point-to-point average speed camera, you may receive:
- a fine
- demerit points
- a licence suspension.
Read more about road safety camera fines and penalties(opens in a new window).
Why point-to-point average speed cameras are important
A study by Monash University Accident Research Centre(opens in a new window) found that point-to-point average speed road safety cameras improve road safety.
Camera locations
For maps showing the locations of point-to-point average speed cameras, visit Road safety camera system locations(opens in a new window).
Updated