Commencing in July 2025, Victoria has initiated a non-enforcement trial of next-generation traffic cameras, representing a crucial, data-driven effort to protect the lives of everyone using the state’s roads.
This advanced mobile camera technology is being rigorously evaluated for its ability to comprehensively monitor multiple driving behaviours simultaneously, with the sole, humanitarian purpose of identifying the most effective measures to prevent avoidable collisions, safeguard communities, and ultimately, achieve a significant reduction in road trauma and fatalities across Victoria.
Table of Contents
Next-Gen Traffic Camera Trial Begins
| Key Fact | Detail / Statistic |
|---|---|
| Trial launch | July 2025, running through 2026 |
| Trial status | No fines issued during test period |
| Primary goal | Assess new trailer-based camera technology for flexibility and accuracy |
| Supplier | Verra Mobility, global traffic safety technology firm |
What the Next-Gen Traffic Camera Trial Involves
The Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) has deployed two relocatable camera trailers in suburbs including Tottenham, Port Melbourne, Toorak, and Caulfield South. The equipment, provided by Verra Mobility, tests a combination of detection technologies typically used in separate systems.
These cameras will not issue fines during the trial. Instead, they will collect performance and reliability data to determine whether the technology can support future enforcement.
According to DJCS, the initiative will help assess “the suitability of new camera technologies for flexible, mobile deployment to improve compliance and road safety outcomes.”
What Offences the Cameras Detect
The system is designed to identify multiple offences, including:
- Speeding (instant and average speed)
- Red-light violations
- Mobile phone use while driving
- Seatbelt non-compliance
- Bus lane misuse
- Unregistered vehicles through number plate recognition
If successful, the new system could integrate into Victoria’s broader automated enforcement network.
Why the Trial Matters
The trial supports Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, which aims to halve road fatalities by 2030 and achieve zero deaths by 2050. Officials say flexible mobile cameras may allow for more efficient monitoring in high-risk zones such as school precincts or rural highways.
A DJCS spokesperson explained that the trial seeks to “evaluate cost-effectiveness, detection accuracy, and operational flexibility” to improve enforcement coverage without increasing manual policing.
Expert Analysis and Public Response
Technology analysts note that smart enforcement systems like Victoria’s trial have been adopted in parts of Europe and North America. These systems aim to deter unsafe driving through more dynamic monitoring.
However, the rollout has raised concerns among privacy advocates and motoring groups. The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) has urged transparency over how data will be stored and whether the technology could lead to “enforcement creep.”
Road safety experts argue that technology must complement — not replace — education and infrastructure improvements. “Cameras alone won’t save lives, but they are a critical part of the safety ecosystem,” said Professor Lisa Whelan, a transport policy specialist at Monash University.
Next Steps in the Victoria Trial
- Duration: The trial will continue into 2026, gathering technical and behavioural data.
- Evaluation: Results will be published in a public report once testing concludes.
- Potential rollout: The government may expand the system statewide if the findings demonstrate measurable safety benefits.
A DJCS statement confirmed that any decision to introduce fines would require new policy and legislation, ensuring community consultation before enforcement begins.
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Broader Context: Australia’s Road Safety Push
The Victorian trial follows similar AI-assisted camera programs in New South Wales and Queensland, where devices target phone use and seatbelt offences. Those trials have reported measurable declines in violation rates after full implementation.
Australia’s federal road safety framework encourages all states to explore technology that supports “Vision Zero” — the elimination of road deaths nationwide.
Looking Ahead
Officials will assess the trial’s impact on driver behaviour, cost efficiency, and privacy compliance before deciding on permanent deployment. As road authorities balance safety innovation with public trust, Victoria’s approach could set a new benchmark for smart enforcement systems across Australia.
