Safe Speed Forums

400 drivers caught by safety camera
By MARISSA CARRUTHERS - Published on Wed Mar 09 16:50:23 GMT 2011

ROAD SAFETY ... the speed camera at the junction of Western Terrace and Front Street in East Boldon.
ALMOST 400 dangerous drivers have been caught out by a pioneering safety camera in its first six months.
The digital camera – the first of its kind in the North East – was put up at the East Boldon junction where 20-year-old Aaron O’Brien was killed in 2009.

The unique camera catches out drivers jumping red lights at the Western Terrace junction with Boker Lane and Front Street, as well as motorists speeding up to get through the traffic lights as they are changing to red. Between September and February, 155 people were caught speeding and 244 for skipping a red light. Those 399 drivers would have been issued with £60 fines and could have three points put on their licence.

Speed campaigners today slammed those who continue to risk their lives, and others, by ignoring the rules of the road.
Jeremy Forsberg, of Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative, said: “The number of people being caught is still too high. But we believe the camera will have the desired effect.
“We have always found that red light cameras are very good at stopping people running red lights, and at changing people’s behaviour, so we are hoping that as people get used to them the number will get less.”
The camera was put up after more than 500 residents signed a petition calling for safety measures to be brought in at the accident blackspot.
Mr Forsberg added: “The junction there was bad and one person was killed there recently so we felt it would benefit from the digital camera. What we are asking is for people to treat that junction - and any junction - with respect and obey the law.”

Coun Donald Wood, who represents the Cleadon and East Boldon ward, added: “Anything that helps to save lives and prevent injuries has to be a good thing. It’s a very busy main road there, and people should not be speeding down there any way.”

Demolition worker Aaron, of Cleadon, was killed in April 2009 when the van he was driving to work in hit a concrete pillar at the Boker Lane and Front Street junction.