Victoria Police boost anti-speeding arsenal with new handheld laser devices Picture: Mark Wilson Source: HeraldSun LEADFOOTED motorists are facing an expanded web of roving speed traps. Victoria Police has added 40 new handheld laser devices to its arsenal, and promises more checks in more locations. Hand-held laser and radar units are distinct from the state's network of mobile and fixed speed cameras, overseen by the Department of Justice. They are expected to reap the State Government $325.3 million in fines this year - up by $38.3 million from the previous year. But the Napthine Government has dismissed criticisms that police are being used for "revenue raising." It defends increased enforcement as potentially life-saving. And it says fines are a "voluntary tax" by speeders. Police "on-the-spot" fines, which would include speeding tickets issued after laser or radar detection, are forecast to grow by $2.7 million to $162.2 million this year. Picture: Paul Trezise 2The 40 new speed guns cost about $180,000. The number of radar and laser units has quietly grown by about 300 since 2010. There are now more than 400. Victoria Police spokesman Sergeant Sharon Darcy said the "small procurement" was in line with government strategy. "The additional equipment will enable more members to perform more hours of speed detection (and) enforcement in more areas," Sgt Darcy said. Law-breakers should be prepared for even more fines in the future. The State Government's 10-year road safety strategy, released earlier this year, specifically notes "increased enforcement of speed limits" to try to help slash the road toll by 30 per cent. The Coalition has already announced $28 million over four years for "state-of-the-art mobile road safety technology," to help cut the annual $3 billlion economic cost of road trauma. This is separate to the handheld lasers bought by police, which do not take photographs and which require officers to issue on-the-spot fines. Picture: Mark Wilson Opposition police spokeswoman Jacinta Allan questioned the Napthine Government's policing priorities. "Instead of giving police additional resources to tackle spiralling crime rates, the Government is using police as revenue raisers," she said. "Victorian families should be alarmed that Premier Denis Napthine has put revenue raising ahead of tackling rising crime rates," Ms Allan added. But Police Minister Kim Wells said more speed checks could help save lives. "We know enforcement of speed zones reduces crash rates," Mr Wells said. "And the Coalition is committed, under our Road Safety Strategy, to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 30 per cent over 10 years," the Police Minister said. Fines are a voluntary tax. Don't speed. Police were performing radar checks.