The New Zealand (NZ) police has announced that the new fixed-camera on the Wellington Motorway has been switched to operational mode.

In October, officials have completed the installation of infrastructural facilities for the new camera on State Highway 2, between Horokiwi and Petone.

"Small reductions in speed greatly reduce the likelihood of a crash and increase the chances of surviving crashes that do occur."

Wellington District acting road policing manager senior sergeant Ian Martin said: "The new camera will reinforce our work to create greater awareness from drivers and keep speeds down.

"The international research shows that speed cameras reduce traffic speed and road crashes, and help to reduce injury severity. Small reductions in speed greatly reduce the likelihood of a crash and increase the chances of surviving crashes that do occur."

The new speeding detection device is said to be the second camera becoming operational in this stretch between Wellington and Petone, where a digital camera on State Highway 1, next to the Thorndon on-ramp, was started in November.

The latest development is part of the rollout of 56 new fixed-speed cameras across the country to improve road safety. These cameras will monitor up to six lanes of traffic flowing in both directions.

Recently, the NZ Transport Agency, Wellington City Council and the NZ police installed red-light cameras at the intersection of Karo Drive and Victoria Street, on the State Highway 1 inner city bypass.

These high-tech, digital and dual-function cameras will be one of three police-owned red-light cameras and can record vehicles that run red lights and speed through intersections.

The cameras are expected to be operational in early 2015.