By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A MOTORIST claims VicRoads changed lane markings after he complained about a fine from a notorious red light camera at a Norlane intersection.
But VicRoads is adamant the markings were changed when the red light camera was installed and that the intersection of The Boulevard and Melbourne was legally compliant.
The motorist, who did not want to be identified for work reasons, said the high number of infringements at the intersection was due to a “VicRoads mistake”.
He blamed line markings on the inside lane of The Boulevard, which was originally both a straight-through and right-turn lane.
The lane should have become right-turn only when the red-light camera was installed but VicRoads failed to make the change, the motorist said.
“Line markings override traffic signals, according to the act, but in this case the signals did not match with the markings.”
The motorist said he brought the issue to VicRoads’ attention more than two months ago.
Within weeks the line markings were altered, he said.
The inside lane of The Boulevard is now right-turns only, with new dotted lines making it a right-turn slipway and the straight-through arrow painted over.
The motorist said VicRoads had a duty to publicly apologise for the error and offer refunds to fined drivers.
“I’m all for road safety, especially with Geelong’s appalling record, but I bet the fines are dropping now the proper ground signage is in place.”
VicRoads regional director William Tieppo said the straight-through arrow had been ground off in July 2012 when the camera was installed, leaving only a right-turn arrow.
Mr Tieppo said the right-turn arrows were upgraded and a slip lane added in October 2013.
VicRoads would make adjustments to the intersection “in the coming weeks”, including new lane configurations, line-marking and changes to phasing of the traffic lights, he said.
Fines at the intersection skyrocketed after the installation of the red light camera, the Independent revealed in December.
The camera slugs motorists $400,000 every three months, according to the Justice Department, with motorists fined $361 and given three demerit points.
In the same quarter the previous year the intersection collected $67,726.
The Independent reavealed last month that the camera was a state hotspot for infringements, with the fourth highest number of red-light infringements in the state.
GRIPES GO TO PARLIAMENT
A MOTORIST claims Vicroads changed lane markings after he complained about a fine from a notorious red light camera at a Norlane intersection.
But VicRoads is adamant the markings were changed when the red light camera was installed and that the intersection of The Boulevard and Melbourne was legally compliant.
The motorist, who did not want to be identified for work reasons, said the high number of infringements at the intersection was due to a “VicRoads mistake”.
He blamed line markings on the inside lane of The Boulevard, which was originally both a straight-through and right-turn lane.
The lane should have become right-turn only when the red-light camera was installed but Vicroads failed to make the change, the motorist said.
“Line markings override traffic signals, according to the act, but in this case the signals did not match with the markings.”
The motorist said he brought the issue to VicRoads’ attention more than two months ago.
Within weeks the line markings were altered, he said.
The inside lane of The Boulevard is now right-turns only, with new dotted lines making it a right-turn slipway and the straight-through arrow painted over.
The motorist said VicRoads had a duty to publicly apologise for the error and offer refunds to fined drivers.
“I’m all for road safety, especially with Geelong’s appalling record, but I bet the fines are dropping now the proper ground signa
