Nearly 400 Sydney drivers will have fines returned and demerit points wiped out after the Roads and Traffic Authority admitted a faulty camera was randomly snapping cars.

The fixed digital school zone camera on the Kingsway at Miranda took photos of cars outside school zone times, and as a result incorrectly fined drivers for speeding, The Daily Telegraph says.

"Last week the RTA detected a timing error at the school zone speed camera on the Kingsway at Miranda, affecting speeding offences from May 23 to June 11 inclusive," the RTA said on Friday.
RTA admits speed camera at fault June 19, 2010

Nearly 400 Sydney drivers will have fines returned and demerit points wiped out after the Roads and Traffic Authority admitted a faulty camera was randomly snapping cars.

The fixed digital school zone camera on the Kingsway at Miranda took photos of cars outside school zone times, and as a result incorrectly fined drivers for speeding, The Daily Telegraph says.

"Last week the RTA detected a timing error at the school zone speed camera on the Kingsway at Miranda, affecting speeding offences from May 23 to June 11 inclusive," the RTA said on Friday.

"The timer on the school zone speed camera was out of sync due to a software error, which meant some motorists were being incorrectly detected for speeding."

There were almost 400 penalty notices, worth about $49,000, issued to motorists during the period the camera was faulty.

"The RTA has asked the State Debt Recovery Office to withdraw the 380 penalties issued to motorists at this location during the time of the error," the spokeswoman said.

The RTA said it was the first time such an error had taken place, but the technology downfall was similar to a faulty sensor on a camera that recorded incorrect speeds earlier this year.
..................................................................................................................................................

It was after distressed booked drivers rang Ray Hadley on 2GB for help the the RTA detected the fault

I emailed Road Ministers Roozendaal, Dally and now Borger to get an extra set of flashing lights at Beverly Hills without sucess, and they have collected $111 million in fines at school zones since I first asked.

In todays Sunday Telegraph

MORE than 900 drivers were booked for double parking, speeding or talking on their mobile phone each day in school zones last year under beefed-up road laws - but the NSW Government has broken its promise to spend every cent on road safety.

Exclusive data obtained by The Sunday Telegraph from the Office of State Revenue shows penalties issued in school zones rocketed from $26.6 million in 2007 to $34.1 million last year following the introduction of heavier fines and demerit points for school zone related speeding and parking offences.

In 2006, when then-NSW roads minister Eric Roozendaal announced the roll-out of 50 new school zone speed cameras, he vowed that "all revenue from them will be put straight back into road safety".

Four years and more than $111 million in school zone fines later, Mr Roozendaal, now Treasurer, has broken his promise.

The NRMA and Auditor-General slammed the RTA for refusing to disclose where school zone speed camera revenue is spent.

Full story:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/broken-promise-on-school-zones/comments-e6freuy9-1225899460804

The Hon. David Borger BEc MP

----- Original Message -----
From: stephens1510
To: minister@borger.minister.nsw.gov.au
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 3:10 PM
Subject: 2GB interview with Jason Morrison

Dear Minister,
Congratulations on your interview with Jason Morrison recently, many a politician wouldn't have accepted the interview but you not only fronted in person, but you took live calls from listeners, and as when you were on air when housing minister you did well.
Mobile speed cameras are not something the public is entirely happy with, but it will slow down traffic.
Sadly it will catch many good average drivers unaware they have drifted a few k/mph over the limit so you can expect a bit of flak when the warnings sent out now, are real infringement notices.
I've had a few tickets in the 10 years I drove taxis, and never was it for something I hadn't done.
Could you have a look at how you could, in the interest of road safety spend a bit of the money raised from the camera vans on a concern of mine.
I emailed Mr Roozendl 4 times about this, handed the then roads Minister Daly a copy of an unanswered email I sent them and he said after reading it "I can't do anything about that" (or words very similar ) which I thought was a strange statement for the boss of roads.
My website www.schoolzonesanta.com explains more easily my request, which is an extra set of flashing lights Southbound at the Beverly Hills school zone on King Geoges rd.

I stood at the Southbound camera the Thurs (am ) school zone time before Easter, and the Friday before the Queens Birthday weekend and I could tell by the faces of drivers that were flashed by that camera as they passed, they had no idea that they'd just lost eight points.
Thank you for your time

Regards Hans stephens

........................................................................

The solution (I think) for better road safety at the Beverly Hills school zone is an extra flashing light going South and I've tried to convince previous road Ministers of this.
The reason I emailed Mr Roozendaal 4 times (four times was because I can be quite persistant as shown in my category "State Election 2007" or "RailCorp waste")
I personally handed Road Minister Mr Dally a copy of an email I had sent him, and have emailed the new Roads Minister Mr Borger saying it would be in the interest of childrens's safety and a help to drivers to add flashing lights to this school zone sign at Beverly Hills.

There is going to be a bit of money coming in once the six "white" mobile speed camera vans finish the one month warning period and start fining speeding drivers.

Maybe there'll be enough revenue to get an extra set of flashing lights at the Beverly Hills school zone going South, opposite Edgbaston st, because drivers that stop at the lights at Morgan st don't realize/forget it's schoolzone time and waiting for them down the slope hidden behind a pole, is the camera.

As I said in my letter to the Telegraph below "speed cameras have their place in road safety" but the problem with school zones is that drivers need to know WHEN it's school zone time and flashing lights are the answer.
Then if you still speed and get caught tough luck.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxTTelegraph August 6 2009 the 4 column headed letter

This letter I sent into the Telegraph after being ignored by Mr Roozendaal/office

The reply said they'd "look into it," and nothing has changed at Beverly Hills

..........................................................................

School zone at King Georges rd Beverly hills

I spent a fortnight of school zone time at Beverly hills in my santa suit, with my 40 sign, and signs on van to draw attention to fact there was a need of an extra set of flashing lights at Edgebaston st.

I had predicted trouble on 25 July '07 when I saw the speed cameras being installed and rang a reporter at the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader.

I suggested to him that as an investigative reporter, he could ask the RTA why there wasn't a extra set of flashing lights (as there is on the other side of the road) going South, at Beverly Hills

Nothing happened and the camera installation was finished and they were switched on.

I saw this article in the paper, (by the same reporter), and sadly as the leaders article shows, my concern made sense.

The RTA spokes person says that a repeater (school zone) sign was installed at Edgebaston St.

That same sign (above) is the one that I wrote to the roads minister about on 3/9/07 and suggested to him that this sign, needed flashing lights.

Any long school zones should have repeater lights if there are side streets coming into the zone.

How many other drivers have been caught out at this school zone and are about to loose their licence?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I e-mailed this to the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader for the letters page.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear sir,
I question the need at all, for there to be a school zone along the whole length of the shopping strip at King Georges Rd Beverly hills.
("No warning on school zone"Leader 6/9/07)
With a fence and planter boxes, this area is virtually a divided road and with an over bridge, and traffic lights along it's length, there are ample places for pedestrians to cross safely.
Granted there is a school at both ends of the school zone, but why not have a zone at the school, not a single one over a kilometer long.

Last Monday 3rd Sept. in the morning school zone time, I counted the South speed camera light flash 34 times in one hour, as cars went past allegedly exceeding the 40 kmh limit.
Why would drivers do this, unless they were unaware that they were still in a school zone, yet nowhere near a school.

The RTA have put up a small "repeater " school zone sign at Egdbaston st, but it needs to be one with flashing lights.
On Tues 4 th Sept, I e-mailed Mr Roozendaal the roads minister requesting that this be done, I have not as yet, had any response.

Hans Stephens
---------------------------------------------------------------------
adding as a postscript to the e-mail
-------------------------------------------------------------------
I would love to have response by people who have been booked, and maybe help with getting the tickets looked at.
Can my web site name www.schoolzonesanta.com be added to my letter?
Regards Hans
...................................................................

I emailed the Roads Minister Mr Eric Roozendaal, as one phone call from him would get action that was needed, after all he was the Transport Minister and in charge.

.......................................................................

To: enquiries.roads@roozendaal.minister.nsw.gov.au
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:58 PM
Subject: school zone

Dear Minister,
I would like to bring to your attention a situation at a school zone on King Georges rd. Beverly hills.
There are flashing lights at this zone and now also a new set of speed cameras, but a lot of drivers don't realize that the whole shopping strip is a school zone.
Because it's such a long zone, (.9 klm) can a second warning light unit be added to the school zone sign that's half way, heading South towards Hurstville, similar to the one already on the other side of the road.

Without going on in detail here, my concern about this school zone is explained, with photos, on my web site www.schoolzonesanta.com

Thank you for your time

Regards Hans Stephens

.........................................................................

No reply, so I rang, and was told that I hadn't added an address
So I wrote again with full address and phone number.

.........................................................................

To: Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 7:47 AM
Subject: Re: school zone

Dear sir.
As the situation at the Beverly Hills school zone is only getting worse could you please have a look at the last couple of pages on www.schoolzonesanta.com

Thank you
Hans Stephens

This is the page on the day I sent the E-mail.

What is needed at King Georges and Edgbaston Beverly Hills is get one of these flashing light units

and put it where this school zone sign is on the right

and I would say that would help with the school zone "speeding" for drivers heading south.

Drivers now just cruise down this divided road after traffic lights change at Morgan st forgetting all about the school zone.

JUST IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF DRIVER THAT WILL BE CAUGHT WHEN THEY TAKE AWAY THE LARGE TRAILER MOUNTED WARNING SIGNS

There need to be more 60 signs at Beverly Hills, especially one between Stoney Creek rd and the North bound camera.
It would be helpful for drivers and road safety that "60 ahead" signs be installed on either end of the zone, because it's 70 along most of King Georges rd and if an extra set of flashing lights had been installed at Edgbaston steet, I don't think the RTA and ultimately, Mr Roozendaal would have this problem.

//////////////

No reply, so I tried again.

//////////////

To: enquiries.roads@roozendaal.minister.nsw.gov.au
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: school zone

Dear sir ,
I have written and phoned but have as yet not heard back from your office.
I once wrote to Mr Costa and received a reply 6 months later from Mr Tripodi.
If you would like an update on the Beverly Hills school zone perhaps you could have a look at last nights entry on my website.
Things are better for motorists at the moment
www.schoolzonesanta.com

Thank you for your time.
Regards Hans Stephens
________________________________

I sent two more emails and didn't get a reply untill the day after I emailed the Daily Telegraph and this was in that morning's (Nov 8)letter's page.

The reply said they'd "look into it," and nothing has changed at Beverly Hills

I tried other ways of getting publicity

border="0" alt="" />

I helped the children by slowing down traffic.

These reliable cheap flashing lights that were installed by Mr Peter Olsen at 4 schools, lights that are cheap in price, (not quality and reliability.0

These flashing lights would be a boon for drivers and children's safety at school zones.

But as it's not made by a preferred (read expensive) contractor, will the RTA ever use them?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I have emailed the next new Transport Minister

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Original Message -----
From: Minister Daley's Office
From: stephens1510 [mailto:stephens1510@optusnet.com.au]
Posted At: Friday, 21 November 2008 10:48 AM
Posted To: DA_Office_Email
Conversation: Beverly Hiills School zone.
Subject: Beverly Hiills School zone.

Dear Minister,

In July last year the RTA installed variable speed cameras at a school zone on King Georges rd Beverly Hills.

Even before the cameras were switched on I could see that because of the length of the school zone and many side streets entering it, that there would be carnage when they were activated, even though flashing lights are at both ends on King Georges Rd.

After an article in the local paper featuring a group of sad looking motorists holding up tickets I emailed the then roads minister Mr Roozendaal suggesting an extra set of flashing lights opposite Edgbason st to help South bound motorists (and make it safer for children, the whole idea for having school zones)

After 4 unanswered emails, I wrote to the Telegraph and then "coincidentally" an unhelpful reply came from Mr Roozendaal's office two days later.
30,000 infringements in the first three months would indicate that perhaps that more signage would be helpful.

To more easily illustrate the problem at Beverly Hills, I've brought forward the relevant page on my website

www.schoolzonesanta.com

Please have a look

We need road rule and to enforce them, but hammering average, unaware drivers is not the way to go.

More sixty signs and that extra flashing light unit at Beverly Hills, would go a long way in the public relations department.

Thank you for your time.
All the best in handling, what is a difficult portfolio.

Yours faithfully
Hans Stephens

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

This has come back

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To: stephens1510
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 9:34 AM
Subject: RE: Beverly Hiills School zone.

Dear Mr Stephens,

Thank you for your email to the Hon Michael Daley MP, Minister for Roads.

The Minister has arranged for the matters raised to be examined and a response will be provided as soon as possible.

Office of the Minister for Roads

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As nothing futher came back, I handed the minister personaly a copy of the email and explained about the need for the extra flshing light set at Beverly hills and he said "I can't do any thing about that" and he was the minister. Dear me, who is the boss him or the RTA?

The link below is the offical RTA reply to the email I handed Mr Dally.

http://schoolzonesanta.com/index.php/2009/01/11/rta_reply

I await a reply from Mr Boger's office

To be continued ................

SCHOOL ZONE SANTA .....A brief History
I started SZS in 2004 when it was clear that something was wrong at the school zone at Kogarah with it's two speed cameras, when 49,500 drivers were booked in one year, (2003/2004)and paid $6.5 million.

Flashing lights weren't an option it seems, even though those 49,500 speeding drivers were putting children's lives at risk.

When then Roads Minister Costa (after media pressure) said he'd "move the speed cameras" at Kogarah, I emailed him as said he would be blamed for moving them, if a child was then run down, and that he could install ten cameras at Kogarah, but to also put flashing lights there too.

(A form reply came six months later from the office of the next road minister Mr Tripodi.)
.................................................................................................................................................,

So school zone santa has be going since and as my effort in the 2007 State election and in other categories shows, I can be quite pesistant.

http://schoolzonesanta.com/index.php/2007/03/16/sample_more_to_come
................................................................................................................................................

Kogarah School Zone ..... day one

http://schoolzonesanta.com/index.php/2004/12/23/hello_fellow_motorists

I was at Kogarah all Febuary 2005 in my santa suit and with my sign and every morning and afternoon I helped slow the drivers, as can been seen in the web site archives on the right

..................................................................................................................................................

After seeing Treasurer Swan he didn't know when it was polling day as if Ms Gillard wouldn't discuss the date with him I sent this into the Daily Telegraph and was printed today

This line was not printed

"because unless Ms Gillard doesn't consult and seek council from her vice captain, just his denial that he wouldn't know (when she knows) when it's polling day, shows he is a barefaced liar,"

I sent this letter in last September after a promise by the new NSW Premier he made after he had just finished a cabinet reshuffle.

..................................................................................................................................................

After a congo line of new MP's coming and going ever since that promise, I sent this letter in yesterday

..................................................................................................................................................

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

UPDATE:

I haven't as yet recieved an acknowledgement to this email to the oppostion leader:

----- Original Message -----
From: stephens1510
To: barry.ofarrell@nsw.liberal.org.au
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2010 9:16 PM
Subject: Cycle ways

Dear Mr O'farrell,
There has been a lot of angst caused by the Sydney City Council's idea that roads need to be dug up to provide dedicated bike paths for the small number of people who prefer to cycle, thus causing even more traffic headaches for motorists.
The Premier seems to be in favour of this plan, and has be seen on her pushbike although still spending a reported $100,000 on car parking in the city.
What is your opinion on the way Mayor Clover Moore is implementing this plan which is opposed by the majority, even by cyclists because of safety concerns by the way sections are designed and constructed?
Thanks for your time
Yours faithfully
Hans Stephens
Kirrawee
..................................................................................................................................................

Barry was answering questions on the Chris Smith show today, I thought of ringing and asking about the cycleways, but will wait for an email.

Peter Garrett avoided questions about the pink batts untill it was too late.
Julia Gillard said there is no rorting of the BER, everything is going fine, and this denial will hurt her badly

THE CYCLEWAYS ARE STUFFING UP THE ROADS AND FUNNY ENOUGH QUITE A FEW DRIVERS BEING STUFFED AROUND...... VOTE

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

UPDATE: 8 June

I sent this email in last night:

..................................................................................................................................................----- Original Message -----

From: stephens1510
To: barry.ofarrell@nsw.liberal.org.au
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:32 PM
Subject: Fw: Cycle ways and RailCorp security

Dear Mr O'farrell,
I repeat the email below I sent earlier, having recieved no reply as yet.
Today I heard you speaking about security at railway stations.
RailCorp does use CCTV cameras, as can been seen at the staff carpark at the Cronulla Railway Station. 12 cameras for a 30 space car park that's behind a high steel security fence, and there are never more than 8 cars in there.
On mywebsite www.schoolzonesanta.com under the category "RailCorp waste" you can see photos of the cameras, and my highlighting of this waste of resorces, and will continue to untill most of the cameras are removed

All the best in the first of the by-elections.

Yours Faithfully
Hans Stephens

..................................................................................................................................................

And this morning came back:

..................................................................................................................................................
----- Original Message -----
From: LOP@parliament.nsw.gov.au
To: stephens1510
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 8:09 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: Cycle ways and RailCorp security

Thanks Hans for your email and the NSW Liberals & Nationals announcement of the $40 million Park and Travel Safety Fund to improve commuter safety in and around train stations at crime hot spots across the CityRail network.

This will include improvements to platforms, stations, trains and car parks through additional CCTV cameras, improved lighting and reliable help points.

Let me know what you think.

I have enclosed the media release on the announcement for your information. I will also have a look at your website.

In relation to cycleways, I have noted your concerns.

Thanks again for taking the time to write to me.

Barry
________
Barry O'Farrell MP
NSW Leader of the Opposition
..................................................................................................................................................