Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is continuing her fight to question a recent speed limit reduction at Thomas Street, Wallsend as well as Griffiths and Newcastle Roads, Lambton.
She's in parliament today with the matter up for debate, where Ms. Hornery will grill Roads Minister Melinda Pavey about recent controversial statistics.
Data released by the state government to Fairfax last week showed that the two red-light speed cameras along the stretch of road reaped in over $1 million worth of fines.
"By reducing the speed limit along this section of road, it has become a cash cow for the government," Ms. Hornery said.
The speed was reduced in March of this year from 70km/h to 60km/h due to high levels of car accidents in the years prior.
According to the Newcastle Herald, there were 382 crashes, including 272 injury crashes along this 8.5-kilometer section of road in the five years between July 2011 and June 2016.
Ms. Hornery has been questioning whether the crashes where due low-speed crashes and caused by congestion at peak time, or if they are due to high speed accidents,
"Despite this, we still don't have the reasons behind the speed limit reduction. What are the RMS and the Minister hiding? I have repeatedly asked for the reports and the data behind this decision."
Ms. Hornery was forced to pay $450 for the release of data and the Government refused to release the report.
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| Image Source: The Motor Report |
