Evidence

Supporting Evidence for Speedometer Tolerance

The following is a list of supporting evidence regarding knowledge by the Government as to the problem regarding speedometer error.

	Basis of tolerance being applied to Infringement Notices
	What the Victorian Regulations state on vehicle speedometers
	What the Victorian Parliament Road Safety Committee report Walk Safety states.
	What the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services said.
	What the Victorian Parliament Road Safety Committee said
	What Monash Accident Research Centre has to say.
	What Victorian Government undertook to do.

In 1994 the Victorian Parliament Road Safety Committee undertook an Inquiry Into the Demerit Points Scheme and produced a report in November 1994. In chapter 3 of that report under 3.6 they reported on 3.6 ACCURACY OF SPEEDOMETERS.

This is an extract from that section of the report:

"An issue raised in some submissions was accuracy of vehicle speedometers and its impact on speed offences. The Committee received a submission and heard evidence from Mr W.J. McDonald who had been involved for nearly 20 years in the certification and calibration of speedometers for the Police and the then Transport Regulation Board [now VicRoads].

Key points in Mr McDonald's submission were that:

* Many motorists are being booked through no fault of their own and are being placed in a very unfair situation because there is no co-operation or co-ordination within the industry with regard to speedometers.

* Motor vehicle manufacturers have legal protection in that a considerable amount of error (10%) is tolerated in the Australian Design Rules but the driver does not have similar treatment.

* A combination of factors can lead to errors of 15 km/h or more.

* Recently a major motoring organisation, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, conducted a speedometer survey which found 58 out of 60 were inaccurate and an 'error factor' of 5 km/h.

* Some areas for concern which affect speedometer accuracy were:

- changing wheel or tyre sizes;

- changing differential ratios;

- using second-hand speedometers from wreckers' yards;

- different tread patterns on tyres; and

- used car dealers fitting 'anything that works'.   [21]

... The Committee is concerned about the accuracy of speedometers and suggests that means be developed for motorists to readily check the accuracy of their vehicles' speedometers."

They concluded:

* Any concerns regarding speedometer accuracy should be addressed through community education by relevant Government agencies and motorist groups such as the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria.

They also stated

In Chapter 4, section 4.2 CHANGES IN DEMERIT POINTS PROFILES IN RECENT TIMES we find the statement:

Due to the extensive use of traffic cameras the Victorian situation with almost 40% of drivers now having demerit points is possibly unique in the world.