Safe Speed Forums

Rolling out speed cameras applies brakes to motorists
Published Date: 12 May 2010
By CHRIS MARSHALL
THE number of motorists caught speeding in the Lothians has fallen to its lowest level since the widespread roll out of roadside cameras.
New figures show that 23,201 fines were handed out last year, a near 60 per cent fall from the 54,453 issued to drivers in 2004/05.

The figure, which represents around £1.4 million worth of £60 penalties, is the lowest since the introduction of the Lothian and Borders Safety Camera Partnership in 2003.
The organisation, which is made up of the police and local councils, today hailed the "dramatic" fall in the number of drivers being caught.

[• Should the number of speed cameras deployed around the city be cut back? Vote here]
(When I voted this was the results then :
No, they help keep our streets safe 44%
No, but they should be moved around more 17%
Yes, their prime purpose is to make money 39%)

However, there was criticism from the Taxpayers' Alliance, which said speed cameras were more about "raking in cash" than making the roads safer.
Figures obtained by the Evening News showed a further 5,280 tickets were issued by police officers since 2007, on top of those handed out as a result of the cameras.
Colin McNeill, manager of the safety camera partnership, said: "Speeding offences have come down dramatically in the last five years. Motorists are much more aware of the dangers of speeding and, as a result, we have seen people reduce their speed across the region, not just at safety camera sites. This means that the number of people being killed and injured on our roads has also reduced."
He added: "Motorists are also aware of where cameras are located and are slowing down.

"I urge motorists to remember that whenever they see a safety camera that the road they are driving on will have a history of crashes and speeding. By slowing down they will make driving safer for themselves and safer for other road users."
First introduced in Edinburgh in 1994, the cameras have been monitored by the partnership since 2003.
All money raised now goes directly to the Treasury, but prior to 2007 more than £7.6m was raised in just four years.

Jennifer Dunn, policy analyst at the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "Motorists have paid a fortune in speeding fines over the past five years in the Lothians, but there is no real sign that they have made the roads safer or changed drivers' behaviour.
"Enforcement of road safety laws should be primarily focused on making the roads safer for all who use them and not about milking cash from motorists.
"It is clear that speeding fines are more about raking in cash than making the roads safer, and as a result they have given the law a bad name."
Neil Greig, a spokesman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said speed cameras still had an important role to play in reducing serious accidents.
He said: "Whilst it may be attractive to say that safety cameras are not catching anyone, getting rid of them would be the worst thing you could do and you would start seeing the number of injuries going up again.
"What we really want to see is some sort of long-term plan to address the problems at each location and then move cameras on to the next site."

THE number of motorists caught speeding in the Lothians has fallen to its lowest level since the widespread roll out of roadside cameras.
New figures show that 23,201 fines were handed out last year, a near 60 per cent fall from the 54,453 issued to drivers in 2004/05.

Colin McNeill, manager of the safety camera partnership, said: "Speeding offences have come down dramatically in the last five years. Motorists are much more aware of the dangers of speeding and, as a result, we have seen people reduce their speed across the region, not just at safety camera sites. This means that the number of people being killed and injured on our roads has also reduced."

"I urge motorists to remember that whenever they see a safety camera that the road they are driving on will have a history of crashes and speeding

Neil Greig, a spokesman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said speed cameras still had an important role to play in reducing serious accidents.
He said: "Whilst it may be attractive to say that safety cameras are not catching anyone, getting rid of them would be the worst thing you could do and you would start seeing the number of injuries going up again.

THE number of motorists caught speeding in the Lothians has fallen to its lowest level since the widespread roll out of roadside cameras.
New figures show that 23,201 fines were handed out last year, a near 60 per cent fall from the 54,453 issued to drivers in 2004/05.

Colin McNeill, manager of the safety camera partnership, said: "Speeding offences have come down dramatically in the last five years. Motorists are much more aware of the dangers of speeding and, as a result, we have seen people reduce their speed across the region, not just at safety camera sites. This means that the number of people being killed and injured on our roads has also reduced."

...By 60%, I should imagine... Of course, it's JUST possible, I suppose, that they've only dropped by about the same amount, on average, as they've always dropped - even before the introduction of scameras!

"I urge motorists to remember that whenever they see a safety camera that the road they are driving on will have a history of crashes and speeding

...but not necessarily on the bit that the scamera van is parked - which is usually the closest convenient straight bit where they can park up and lie in wait. This bit may or may not have had any kind of accident history, but hey, since when did facts have anything to do with it?!

Neil Greig, a spokesman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said speed cameras still had an important role to play in reducing serious accidents.
He said: "Whilst it may be attractive to say that safety cameras are not catching anyone, getting rid of them would be the worst thing you could do and you would start seeing the number of injuries going up again.

...like they have in Swindon...

. Higher speeds mean more concentration and one cannot do that when seeking out any cameras that may be around.
OLLIE

Camera use has made my driving worse these past years. I now concentrate around the road and not on the road. I am never relaxed and concentrating on the areas that are required for safe driving. Higher speeds mean more concentration and one cannot do that when seeking out any cameras that may be around.
With regards to lower RTCs and KSIs, they never quote that this has anything to do with modern day vehicles and the safety features/systems which they have. As with vehicle thefts being reduced by the police, they never state that this has been brought about by the inbuilt anti-theft devices now installed. They always quote want they want you to know, and never what you should know. OLLIE

OLLIE - not being judgemental - an observation - and something you might like to try .At a set speed, what extra observation time do you comfortably have to spare ,and does dropping that speed make you feel more comfortable .At that set speed ,could you comfortably switch your concentration from forward vision ,to speedo ,to rear mirror to look for hazards .If not ,suggest that ,that speed too high ,and you need to reduce it slightly until you meet the criteria of feeling safe and comfortable at that speed (which could be any speed up to the limit depending on the hazards around).

OLLIE - not being judgemental - an observation - and something you might like to try .At a set speed, what extra observation time do you comfortably have to spare ,and does dropping that speed make you feel more comfortable .At that set speed ,could you comfortably switch your concentration from forward vision ,to speedo ,to rear mirror to look for hazards .If not ,suggest that ,that speed too high ,and you need to reduce it slightly until you meet the criteria of feeling safe and comfortable at that speed ( which could be any speed up to the limit depending on the hazards around).