Safe Speed Forums

Call to bring back speed cameras in Swindon
Swindon Advertiser
8:30am Wednesday 17th February 2010
THE DECISION to switch off Swindon’s speed cameras has come under freshattack after the devices were linked to a dramatic fall in serious traffic collisions elsewhere.
Records from camera sites in Northern Ireland revealed that fatalities or serious injuries have halved since their introduction in the province.
South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove said the findings strengthened calls by her and others for Swindon Council to turn cameras here back on.
The Northern Ireland safety camera scheme began in 2003 with four fixed camera sites, 31 mobile camera sites and 33 mobile camera routes.
Data collected over the three years before the launch and compared with the three years afterwards showed the number of serious collisions at camera sites fell from 169 in 2002/3 to 76 last year. The fall in areas not covered by cameras was significantly less.
Norther Ireland environment minister Edwin Poots said: “These are significant reductions and a clear demonstration that safety cameras, both fixed and mobile, reduce fatal or serious injury collisions.”
It followed the publication of a separate survey last month, by moneysupermarket.com, that suggested more than half of men with speeding convictions in parts of Swindon were aged 31 to 40 – one of the highest concentrations in that age group in the country.
Swindon Council turned off the five fixed cameras in the town last July following complaints that they were unfairly punishing motorists.
Peter Greenhalgh, cabinet member for transport on Swindon Council, said: “Speed cameras are just one of many measures that can be used to reduce accidents, and the police are still using mobile cameras here.
“The issue for us was the cost of the three fixed camera sites in Swindon and their overall effectiveness in reducing deaths and injuries, especially when we looked at the findings of an independent analysis of our accidents which showed that different measures were needed.
“We have now freed that money up to spend on other more targeted road safety measures right across the borough.”
But Ms Snelgrove said: “The council should reconsider. It was completely disgraceful they stopped using speed cameras in the first place.
“Swindon is one of the top towns in the country for speeding and there is now increasing evidence that speed cameras do make people consider their speed, not just because of the possibility of fines but because it reminds them of the speed limits in the town, which are there for everyone’s safety.
“My biggest concern is for safety, not about the amount of money these cameras raise.”

Records from camera sites in Northern Ireland revealed that fatalities or serious injuries have halved since their introduction in the province.

Data collected over the three years before the launch and compared with the three years afterwards showed the number of serious collisions at camera sites fell from 169 in 2002/3 to 76 last year. The fall in areas not covered by cameras was significantly less.