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DIY signs have appeared on a busy stretch of road in Hastings, warning motorists of a looming NZ Transport Agency mobile safety camera trailer. 

The wooden signs with black writing appeared on Ōmahu Rd on Thursday and were still in place this morning. 

The one near the intersection with Twyford Rd said “speed camera ahead”, while the one near the Kirkwood Rd intersection added an expletive. 

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) head of commercial transport regulation, Tara McMillan, said it was not uncommon for community members to put up their own signage at the roadside for a variety of reasons. 

“There are times when community signage may become an unsafe distraction for road users and/or dilute safety outcomes. 

“We would encourage communities to work with the relevant road controlling authorities to ensure messages meet rules and requirements.” 

She said the mobile safety cameras, which were rolled out across the country in September, replacing the traditional vans, were used to provide general, rather than site-specific, deterrence to speeding. 

“That’s why they are operated nationwide ‘anytime, anywhere’ and aren’t marked. 

“Research has shown that unsigned mobile safety cameras are twice as effective at reducing crashes as signposted mobile safety cameras.” 

One sign appeared just before the spot where the speed limit changes from 80km/h to 60km/h on Ōmahu Rd. Photo / Michaela Gower 

McMillan said the consequences of being snapped speeding were the same as if a vehicle was caught speeding by any other safety camera. 

According to the NZTA website, the mobile safety cameras operate day and night and use radar to measure the speed and identify the direction of a vehicle. 

“The cameras take a picture when the radar detects speeding. 

The speed camera trailers join the fleet of SUVs. 

“Together, the radar and cameras can detect speeding vehicles in two directions and from either side of the road.” 

NZTA’s website says the trailers have multiple cameras that measure speed moving towards and away from the front and rear of the vehicle, and CCTV cameras. 

“While our SUVs and trailers won’t be marked, they also won’t be hidden. We won’t use trees, blind corners or anything else at the roadside to disguise our cameras. They’ll be visible to drivers. 

“Having cameras installed in both SUVs and trailers means we can choose the best camera type for the location.” 

Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.