Safe Speed Forums

'DANGER' CAMERAS MAY BE TAKEN AWAY
10:00 - 13 March 2006

A Speed camera on the M4 which some claim is endangering lives may be taken away. Two speed cameras enforce a 50mph go-slow zone outside Port Talbot.

Many calls have been made for the cameras to be scrapped, after the Evening Post published figures showing the number of accidents has risen since their introduction in 2003.

Now the Welsh Assembly has confirmed it is holding crunch talks about alternatives.

An Assembly spokesman today said meetings are being held with the Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership about alternative sites for the westbound camera.

"We are also considering the use of alternative technology such as vehicle actuated speed signing, but no decision has yet been taken," added the spokesman.

Figures published by the Evening Post showed three accidents took place at the camera site in 1999, with five in 2000, seven in 2001 and five in 2002 - an average of five per year.

But after the cameras' arrival, there were 10 accidents in 2003 and six in 2004 - an average of eight a year.

The Association of British Drivers said the cameras cause traffic to bunch up, increasing the chance of collisions while drivers are distracted looking at their speedometers.

Other motorists have also voiced their concern.

Brian Watts, an ex-haulier from Port Talbot, today said it was frightening to drive along the stretch of road between Baglan and Margam in a heavy lorry.

"Everyone travels along the motorway at 50mph there, but when traffic sees the camera it will suddenly slow even further," said the 55-year-old.

"Speeds will go down to 30mph and there's no chance to overtake because everyone is bunched up.

"When you're in a lorry weighing 30 tonnes, how are you supposed to suddenly slow down that much?

"The cameras are causing this increased danger and not making the road safer.

"I don't see why they are there, apart from to make money."

Neath Port Talbot councillor John Warman, who represents the Cimla ward, wants the cameras taken away or chevrons marked on the road to keep a safe distance between vehicles.

But the Assembly spokesman added: "The road layout and junction spacing on this section of the M4 around Port Talbot means that the introduction of chevrons would not be suitable."

Has anyone been killed/injured in these accidents? If so will the council now be prosecuted for causing their deaths/injuries in pursuit of their money raising exercise.

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Useless laws weaken necessary laws.

All speed cameras on motorways are dangerous and should be outlawed.

It is only a matter of time before one of the M4 cameras in Wiltshire causes a big pile-up. Maybe when that happens, the Government will see sense.

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“For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.” - H. L. Mencken

The cameras on the M4 in Wiltshire hace already caused several serious and fatal accidents. I don't know about the mobile units on the unrestricted sections, but the gatso located at the apex of the on ramp at j18 westbound during the recent roadworks has been the site of at least 2 fatals that I can recall. Not surprising really considering its appauling location...

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

The westbound camera in port talbot is obscene! I have never seen a more blatant example of extortion in the name of 'safety'

Imagined Camera Partnership response to M4 J18 accidents...

"See, we told you it was dangerous. Just imagine how many more would have been killed without the camera."

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Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.

WHAT? The Wiltshire numpties been and gone and put one on the M4? Someone tell me this is a joke.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

The J17-15 ones are mobile cameras which have been there for almost a year now (must be the first anniversary of the M4 protest soon...).

The J18 one was a roadworks Gatso.

Ah, ok. I knew about the mobile ones and temporary traffic gatsos aren't unprecendented, but I thought this meant bog standard fixed gatsos on a motorway.

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein