Unmanned mobile speed cameras not a violation

Have you ever driven past an unmanned mobile speed camera and wondered if that was legal? You are not alone.

According to Allen’s Nek resident Emma van der Walt, unmanned Metro Police mobile cameras are a common sight and she finds it wrong.

“I’m sure that is illegal, they can’t just mount cameras and leave them unattended,” she said.

Van der Walt alleged that throughout Christiaan De Wet Road and some other areas, she has noticed this growing trend.

Adding to her concern, is the safety of those cameras.

“Early this year, a speed camera was stolen because of this kind of trend on the same road. That is a waste of tax payer’s money because those cameras don’t come cheap,” she alleged.

Metro Police spokesperson Edna Mamonyane said she was not aware of the case of a stolen camera and promised to look into the matter.

On the topic of unmanned cameras, she said “There is nothing wrong with the unattended camera.”

However, police should stay closer to the cameras to ensure that there is no tampering, Mamonyane added.

Howard Dembovsky of the Justice Project South Africa explained that the Road Traffic Act was amended in December 2012.

“The amendment shows that there is no requirement to man mobile speed cameras,” Dembovsky confirmed.

He also highlighted that it is necessary for police to monitor the camera.

“This is just to ensure that there is no interference with or theft of the cameras.”