SA Police has been forced to retract an email sent out by one of its managers which offered an incentive to patrols to issue more speeding...
SA Police has been forced to retract an email sent out by one of its managers which offered an incentive to patrols to issue more speeding and traffic fines.
Frustrated drivers have long complained about revenue raising through speeding fines — and now SAPOL has revealed a blunder over this week's Operation Fatal Distraction.
In a statement, police said a manager had bought a gift card and offered in an email to give it to the officer who made the "greatest contribution to road safety" through the number of traffic infringement notices and cautions issued.
Police retracted the email on Monday and informed officers that the incentive went against official policy.
"The email instruction has been recalled and SAPOL staff have been advised that the advice in the email is not to be actioned and is contrary to SAPOL's policy and practices."
Operation to focus on distracted drivers
Police said Operation Fatal Distraction was a week-long operation that would focus on motorists committing distraction-based offences behind the wheel.
Such instances include being caught using a mobile phone, interacting with social media and any other behaviour that may cause inattention.
The operation started on Monday and will finish on Friday.
In the statement, police insisted that officers had no quota for issuing fines.
"Police officers dealing with breaches of the road rules have the discretion to determine the most appropriate action under the circumstances.
"This may include the issue of an expiation notice or a formal caution."
Police said the matter would now be subject to a formal review.
Minister says it 'sends the wrong message'
SA Police Minister Corey Wingard told the ABC he was really disappointed to hear about the gift card incentive and he looked forward to reading the outcome of the review.
"That just sends the wrong message to road users, I'm really disappointed to hear this," Mr Wingard said.
He said traffic and speeding fines were about keeping South Australian roads safer and not about revenue raising.
"We want to do what we can to stop dangerous behaviour on our roads and that's what police should be doing, not having a competition," he said.
"It's not about revenue raising, this is making sure we change behaviour on the roads to make sure people are safe.
"It's not acceptable and South Australians don't accept that behaviour."
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