The new cameras on the Smith St overpass will go online tonight.
THE new speed cameras on the M1 at Gaven will be turned on at midnight tonight - just in time to catch Gold Coasters heading off for the Easter break.
A row of five cameras was installed on the reverse side of the Smith Street overpass at Gaven months ago, recording the speed of every northbound car. Until now police have not issued fines for motorists caught by the cameras speeding.
Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the cameras would go "live" tonight when he launched this year's Easter Road Safety campaign today.
The blitz will see police out in force across the state to crack down on drivers disobeying the road rules, with a focus on the Fatal Five - speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, inattention and fatigue.
"This year's road toll has already reached a worrying high of 70 - 15 more deaths on Queensland roads compared to the same time last year,'' Mr Dempsey said.
"This is unacceptable and I put a challenge out to all drivers in the coming days to make the Easter break fatality free."
Mr Dempsey said the location of the new camera has a history of speed related crashes.
"The cameras will operate in all lanes heading north along the M1 at Gaven, including the Smith Street onramp merging lane," he said.
He hopes the new camera will encourage drivers to slow down in the area and consequently save lives.
"Over time, speed limit compliance at Queensland's fixed speed camera locations has improved, therefore reducing speed-related crash risks," he said.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the Easter road campaign will run for a month in the lead up to and during the Easter school holidays.
"Traditionally road users are at a higher risk over Easter due to the volume of traffic on the roads. The highest risk is when people are leaving for holiday destinations and returning home," Commissioner Stewart said.
"What should be a happy and relaxing time of year can quickly become a nightmare for families and loved ones affected by road trauma.''
The Gaven speed cameras come after another bank of cameras, also hidden on the reverse side of an overpass, were installed on the northbound lanes of the M1 at Logan in 2011, which has raised millions of dollars in revenue.
Once the Gaven cameras are online unwary drivers could be caught speeding twice within 25 minutes.
Police were unable to provide figures on how many speeding motorists had been detected but not fined by the Smith Street cameras during the trial period.
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