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No Gatsos at roadworks
Speed cameras at roadworks are to be replaced by signs shaming riders into slowing down by displaying their numberplates.
The plan has been reported by the Times website (click here, external site), as a response to a rise in roadworker deaths on motorways and A roads.
Trials on the M42 near Birmingham found the devices were more effective than cameras at encouraging drivers to comply with speed limits, even though no penalties were issued. Within half a second of a vehicle breaking the speed limit, the numberplate appears on a screen, with a message telling the driver to slow down.
During tests on a 50mph limited stretch of roadworks, half of the vehicles travelling at more than 55mph slowed down to close to the speed limit, including two thirds of those exceeding 60mph. That compares with speed cameras reducing speeding by less than a third. The new signs also have a longer lasting effect, rather than drivers immediately speeding up straight after passing a camera.
At present there aren't any ANPR cameras which are rear-facing, and can register motorcycles, according to Safe Speed road safety campaign founder Paul Smith. "Speed cameras don't work, and I'm very relieved to hear that we will not be using them as often in the future. I'm quite sure that Department for transport is now aware of the failure of their policies but are refusing to admit it."
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