Speed Cameras have their drawbacks. One notable problem is that drivers will be speeding along, see a speed camera, and at last moment slam on brakes to about 25mph. It can be pretty dangerous when you’re doing a time trail at 30mph.
But, overall speed cameras, in the correct place, can help reduce speed and make roads more safe. Also, lower speeds just makes cycling feel more enjoyable and less stressful. If a car has to pass by with 3 inch to spare, you’d rather it was scrapping off your skin at 30mph than 40mph.
The Guardian posted a story how the removal of speed cameras has (surprise surprise) led to an increase in the number of speeding drivers breaking the law. They also state:
Thames Valley Police and senior officers from other forces have reacted angrily to the decision to remove speed cameras. They point to statistics published by the Department of Transport in 2005 which highlighted the virtues of speed cameras.
The report examined thousands of cameras installed across England and Wales between 2000 and 2004.
It monitored sites before and after cameras were installed and showed that the cameras brought about a 70 percent reduction in speeding. The report also said that fatal accidents were reduced by 42 per cent, and that serious injuries fell by 22 per cent. (Guardian link)
Oxford council, have to my great regret switched off all speed cameras (on the grounds that they can’t afford it. – I would have thought it sensible to use money raised to pay for costs of maintaining them)
If we don’t get money through speed cameras the council / government will have to raise money through other ways. The way I see it – if you’re going to raise money why not do it in a way that promotes safer driving and safer roads. But, then I’m full of crazy ideas like fining criminals to recover costs of crime (from Economic Blog)
Maybe the council are saving all their resources for cracking down on cyclists who ride through pedestrian lights when they are red. Maybe, we need to look again at why we tolerate over 2,200 road deaths annually in the UK.
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It is crazy to switch off speed cameras! Do they believe that anyone is going to drive at 20 mph passing schools if there is no camera to catch them? Very few I’d bet.
The rise in accidents and action being taken against the authorities, and hospital costs are bound to cost the government more in the long run.
Do the local council receive the money from the speed camera though/ I though that went into central coffers (as a way of showing they were not “money making”)
Although it was reported that Oxford had switched off all their speed cameras I heard on the news the other night that they have actually kept film in a couple of them to judge the effects of turning off the cameras – surprise surprise more people were speeding when they thought the cameras were turned off! But the stupid thing is they’re not going to book anyone that’s been snapped since switch off!
Also worth noting is they used to get £1mill grant for road safety from the government. This has been cut by £300 000 – which means the council now gives the road safety partnership £600 000 less. I just can’t help to wander where the other £300 000 has gone!