Safe Speed Forums

http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?de ... _id=117033

Labour's over-reliance on speed cameras


Shadow Transport Secretary Tim Yeo has welcomed a fall in road accident deaths, but criticised the Government's over-reliance on speed cameras to cut the casualty rate.

According to the latest official provisional statistics, 9,130 people died or were seriously injured during the April to June quarter this year, a reduction of 1% on the same period in 2003.

Commenting, Mr Yeo said: "I welcome the reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads. Nevertheless, casualties from road accidents remain unacceptably high. Labour claim they are getting to grips with the causes of road accidents and fatalities, but concentrating too much on speed instead of the whole range of dangers on our roads has led to an over reliance on speed cameras. The Government should focus on improving driver awareness and tracking down dangerous and reckless drivers, especially those driving without insurance."

Meanwhile, reacting to new statistics from the Road User Alliance showing how Britain's major road network has increased by less than 1% over the last decade, Mr Yeo stated: "Labour are all talk on improving Britain's roads. They have made plenty of promises and pledges, but little has been done to improve the network - and for many motorists, the situation is getting worse."


The Conservative front bencher added: "The maintenance backlog has increased, roads are in a worse state than they were 30 years ago, congestion is increasing and much-needed major new schemes are still decades off. Motorists are paying £42 billion a year in taxes, yet this Government has spent a mere £1.6 billion on trunk road and motorway infrastructure construction.

"Labour's higher taxes have not meant higher spending. Only the Conservatives will end the war on drivers and help those who rely on their car to go about their daily lives."

And responding to the Government's clarification that police have the right to conduct 'covert speed enforcement' separate to existing speed camera schemes, Mr Yeo said: "People have lost faith in the way speed limits are being enforced on our roads. People believe there is a war on the driver, and that speed cameras are being used as cash raisers not life savers.

"Conservatives want to restore people's confidence in speed limits and how they are policed. This means intelligent policing, honest information about speed cameras, and an emphasis on cutting accidents and promoting safe driving."
=======================================

That 1% fall in KSI will mean another rise in deaths if the ten-year "divergence" trend has continued. http://www.safespeed.org.uk/serious.html

_________________
Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I think it is safe to say that the 1% drop in casualties couldn't be attributed to any specific road safety action unless it was a year-on-year drop for at least 10 years or so.

Andrew

If they are serious I can see a lot of people voting their way just to get rid of the cameras. I would certaily vote for any party which had the reduction of abolition of speed cameras as part of their platform.

Shame none of the pollies in Victoria have come to that point yet.

_________________
Ross

Yes I'm a hoon, but only on the track!!!!