First trailer equipped with speed camera to start operating

Trailers equipped with speed cameras are set to be rolled out on New Zealand's roadsides from tomorrow.

The first trailer would begin operating in Auckland, the New Zealand Transport Agency said.

Nine more trailers were set to join the fleet over the coming months.

They would join the 34 mobile cameras already operating out of SUVs.

NZTA said that with the trailers, mobile cameras would be operating for a total of 6500 hours a month.

"The camera technology in trailers is the same as we’re using in our SUVs, but having both vehicle types gives us more flexibility to move cameras between high-risk locations quickly and easily, ensuring that we are targeting stretches of road where speeding drivers are putting themselves and others at risk," said Tara Macmillan, NZTA head of regulatory strategic programmes.

Macmillan said the trailers would allow NZTA to have its cameras out for longer stretches of time and in places the SUVs could not access.

"Both our trailers and SUVs will be working day and night, detecting speeding wherever and whenever it occurs.

“Speeding drivers can cause serious and irreparable harm on the roads, including deaths and serious injuries. Evidence shows that we can reduce the chances of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes if drivers travel within speed limits, and that is why we have safety cameras.”

The trailers, like the SUVs, won't be sign posted, and can detect speeding vehicles from either side of the road.

They can also detect speeding vehicles that are travelling both towards and away from them.

NZTA has sole responsibility for operating speed cameras - police will still issue notices for any offences they detect.

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Both SUVs and trailers have security and tracking systems and are equipped with CCTV cameras and alarm systems. They are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.