The City of Canning said without public complaints it would not pursue prosecution for people who placed signs warning motorists of speed cameras.
A number of Perth-based groups have been created on Facebook from which members place signs on verges to warn motorists of speed cameras ahead on the road.
Signs were often placed on the ground, attached to parked cars or held by persons standing beside the road.
The signs were generally used to warn drivers of temporary speed cameras set up ahead in or nearby unmarked vans or SUVs.
Last week WA Police Sergeant Andrew Maher warned people who displayed the signs that they may be breaking local council by-laws but the City of Canning said it had little interest in prosecuting.
In a statement City of Canning Mayor Paul Ng said verge parking and sign placing was not a matter the city would investigate without receiving a complaint from residents.
“The city has not had any complaints regarding this practice and leaves the police to deal with most issues,” he said.
However, Mr Ng said the city would confiscate and impound signs placed on a city verge if they were placed illegally.
The city’s Consolidated Local Laws (2000) stated a sign could only be placed adjacent to the building to which it was associated.
According to the city’s Parking Local Law 2010 a person was not permitted to park their car on a verge except if they were the owner of the adjacent property or had authority by the owner or occupier to do so.
A representative of Perth Facebook page Speed Camera Crusaders, which offers signs to members to display for $10 each said members were well received by road users.
“We get an overwhelmingly positive response from the public. Those who have trust in the current system generally voice their concerns in a positive light.”
“Protesters are encouraged to hold their signs in a safe location for motorists, pedestrians and themselves.”
“We send a conduct recommendation guide to all first time protesters and it details how to ensure their protests stays not only legal but safe as well.”
The group said its purpose was to highlight WA road speed limits were often out-dated and needed reform.
WA Police releases a weekly list of speed camera locations on its website.
