SO, RTSA HAS NO CLUE OVER ITS OWN SPEED CAMERAS?

IF it takes motorists to complain before the Road Transport & Safety Agency (RTSA) has faulty speed cameras which are wrongly capturing vehicles for speeding, then we are in deep problems as a country.

There can be no more glaring incompetence as we are seeing from RTSA and the most annoying part is that instead of tendering an apology for their misnomer and inconvenience caused to motorists who have to deal with the anguish of being found at variance with the law yet innocent, RTSA only says they will rectify the problem and this is the business-as-usual attitude towards service provision which is ever taking this country backwards.

Previously, one common complaint from Zambian motorists regarding speed cameras was that they were placed in areas where the speed limit was not clearly marked or where it was easy to unintentionally exceed the limit. This often led to drivers receiving fines for speeding without realizing they were in a speed-restricted zone.

Additionally, some motorists argued that the placement of speed cameras was more focused on revenue collection rather than improving road safety. They believed that authorities should prioritize educating drivers about speed limits and implementing measures that prevented accidents rather than relying heavily on speed cameras for enforcement. This was the case with speed cameras near Westwood police station on Mumbwa road where motorists are driving from a 100km/h zone and are expected to abruptly decelerate to 60km/h because there is a speed camera ahead of them within the same zone. How could this be? Wasn’t this daytime robbery?

From this scenario, we then went into a serious one where speed cameras are capturing motorists regardless of whether they are within the speed limits or not and are supposed to pay fines. The cases in question emanate from complaints from Shimabala, Chilanga and Msisi speed cameras.

There have been instances where motorists have received fines or penalties for alleged speeding, even though they claim they were driving within the speed limit. These faulty cameras can result in wrongful fines and penalties, causing frustration and distrust among drivers. Motorists argue that RTSA should ensure that their speed cameras are regularly maintained and calibrated to avoid such inaccuracies and unfair penalties.

Surely, should RTSA wait until motorists complain before they realise their speed cameras are faulty? Why shouldn’t RTSA ensure that their speed cameras are regularly maintained and calibrated to ensure accurate readings? What has happened to routine inspections and maintenance schedules to identify and rectify any technical issues promptly?

Implementing strict quality control measures during the installation and operation of speed cameras can help identify and address any faulty cameras. Regular audits and inspections can be conducted to ensure that the cameras are functioning properly and providing accurate readings.

RTSA should be transparent about the functioning and accuracy of their speed cameras. This can include providing information on how the cameras are calibrated, the frequency of maintenance, and the steps taken to address any faults. Additionally, the agency should establish a mechanism for motorists to report any concerns or disputes regarding the accuracy of speed camera readings.

If a motorist raises a legitimate concern about a faulty speed camera, the RTSA should promptly investigate the issue and rectify any inaccuracies without being defensive and reactive all the time. They must review the evidence, analyse the camera data, and take necessary action to correct any errors.

RTSA should focus on educating motorists about the proper use and limitations of speed cameras. This can include raising awareness about speed limits, clearly marking speed-restricted zones, and providing information on how speed cameras operate.

By promoting understanding and awareness, motorists can make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary penalties. By implementing these measures, RTSA can address the issue of faulty speed cameras and ensure that motorists’ concerns are appropriately addressed, leading to greater trust and confidence in the enforcement system.

Determining the exact blame for faulty speed cameras operated by RTSA in Zambia can be complex and may involve multiple factors. However, the back stops at RTSA because some potential factors that could contribute to faulty speed cameras include faulty speed cameras which can be the result of technical malfunctions or equipment failures.

These issues can arise due to manufacturing defects, inadequate maintenance, or improper installation and all this start and end with RTSA. The other issue is lack of regular maintenance and from the number of complaints from motorists which RTSA itself has not disputed, simply means that a lot needs to be done in this area.

If the RTSA does not have a proper maintenance schedule or fails to conduct routine inspections and calibrations, it can lead to inaccuracies in speed camera readings. We may also not ignore human error. Errors made by the operators responsible for monitoring and maintaining the speed cameras can also contribute to faulty readings. This can include incorrect installation, improper calibration, or failure to address technical issues promptly.

External factors such as adverse weather conditions, power outages, or physical damage to the cameras can also impact their accuracy. It is important to note that determining the exact blame for faulty speed cameras would require a thorough investigation by the RTSA or relevant authorities. It may involve assessing the specific circumstances, conducting technical evaluations, and identifying any systemic issues that contribute to the problem.

However, if there are consistent issues with faulty camera readings that lead to wrongful fines, it would be fair for RTSA to consider revising their approach to fines from such cases. The RTSA should have a mechanism in place to promptly review and rectify cases where motorists are wrongly fined due to faulty camera readings.

This can involve a fair and transparent process for motorists to dispute fines and provide evidence of the faulty readings. In cases where motorists have already paid fines based on faulty camera readings, RTSA should consider providing compensation or refunds to rectify the unjust penalties. This would help regain trust and demonstrate accountability.

RTSA should prioritize ensuring the accuracy and reliability of their speed cameras. This can be achieved through regular maintenance, calibration, and quality control measures. By improving the overall functioning of the cameras, the incidence of faulty readings can be reduced.

The RTSA should actively educate motorists about the limitations and potential issues with speed cameras. This can include providing information on how to identify faulty readings, steps to take when disputing fines, and raising awareness about RTSA’s commitment to addressing such issues.

Ultimately, the goal should be to strike a balance between enforcing road safety through speed cameras and ensuring that motorists are not penalized unjustly due to faulty readings. By implementing these measures, RTSA can work towards minimizing the impact of faulty camera readings and maintaining public trust in their enforcement system.

If RTSA are on top of things and know exactly what they are doing, they should not wait until the public complain before they realise that their equipment is faulty. Otherwise, this is just a case of gross incompetence which is a deterrent to quality service provision.  there is no other way we can put it.