New road camera trial on Aussie roads called out over missing detail: 'Outrageous'
The Department of Justice and Community Safety confirmed to Yahoo News a new type of "mobile road safety trailer camera" is being trialled along the road network in several suburbs, but has not said what is new about the technology, or what traffic offences they are monitoring for.
It is understood that the cameras do not rely on artificial intelligence for enforcement purposes, and while the trial is in place, the cameras will not issue fines.
Victorian authorities have set ambitious goals to halve road deaths by 2030, and eliminate deaths entirely by 2050, but the recent announcement has left one leading lawyer wondering why authorities won't say what the cameras are for.
"It's outrageous how vague the information is," leading Melbourne traffic lawyer Hayder Shkara told Yahoo News of the announcement.
"We don't know which cameras are being used in the trial. We don't know what they are monitoring. We don't know what they are looking for," he said.
Shkara argued that the lack of information is "a problem for transparency and trust. I'm a big believer in road safety, but this sounds like a very scary step in police monitoring," he said.
What do we know about the mobile camera trial in Victoria?
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice told Yahoo News it is trialling the new mobile road safety trailer camera in seven suburbs across the state.
Yahoo understands the purpose of the trial is to gather data and ensure that the technology is accurate, safe and operationally effective.
After the trial, the department may consider integrating them into the mobile camera program and used for enforcement purposes, although its not clear what the cameras monitor, or how.
'Victoria's road safety camera program plays a critical role in changing driver behaviour, reducing serious injuries and saving lives," the spokesperson said.
'That's why we're continuing to explore new locations and trial new equipment across the road network, to prevent crashes and deaths on our roads.'
'Every dollar received from road safety cameras goes to the Better Roads Victoria Trust, where it is spent on road restoration, road surface replacement, bridge strengthening and other road safety infrastructure improvements.'
On its website, the Department states that it regularly trials new technology, and drivers may notice some trials, while others will go unnoticed because they are simply software changes on existing cameras.
It's not the first time Melbourne drivers have been left baffled by unknown monitoring technology, with road users left scratching their heads after spotting a futuristic-looking device late last year.
Yahoo News was told at the time the peculiar surveillance device is marketed as an "enforcement trailer" made by a company called Vitrionic. According to the company's website, the machines provide "flexible traffic enforcement at accident hotspots and remote hard-to-see measuring points".
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RACV 'sought more information' about mobile camera trial
Even RACV's Head of Policy James Williams told Yahoo the company is seeking more information about the trial.
"RACV supports technology-based solutions and initiatives from State Government that make our streets safer and reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads," Williams said.
"There is clear evidence that the use of road safety cameras reduces injury crashes and improves driver behaviour.
"RACV has sought more information about the trial from the Victorian Government.
"Road enforcement activities and locations should always be based on safety outcomes, not revenue raising," he said.
Where are new mobile road safety trailer cameras being trialled?
From 21 July 2025 through to 2026, DJCS will be trialling new mobile road safety trailer technology in the following suburbs:
Tottenham
Port Melbourne
Toorak
Caulfield South
Heatherton
Healesville
Oaklands Junction
During the trial, the cameras will not issue fines, but police will continue patrolling and enforce dangerous and risky road user behaviours.
Yahoo News Australia has contacted SERCO, which operates and maintains traffic cameras in Victoria, for further information about the trial, but did not get a response by time of publication.
More information can be found about the trial here.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
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