Letter sent to N. Wales MP
Discussion
I believe this has been sent to a North Wales MP who is consistent in his support for cameras but appears to have been mislead by propaganda and bent statistics
Dear Mr Tami,
I have read of your support for the failed speed camera policy several times in various Chester Chronicles and perhaps you are not aware that in 2003, with over 5000 speed traps across UK, far from the fatalities reducing as the official spin would have the public believe, deaths rose by 2.2% to the highest level since 1998; 3508.
North Wales deaths rose by 13.6%, South Wales rose by 34% and Dyfed Powys rose by 38%. Some areas in England with the highest number of cameras saw the biggest increases in deaths.
I was horrified to see the Daily Post proclaim across two whole pages that Brunstrom's stance on cameras had been vindicated due to an alleged 60% reduction in KSI across North Wales whilst no mention was made of the rise in dead bodies. They reported a few days later, in two column inches, that deaths are actually rising.
The recent "statistics" from the DfT which claim 100 lives saved due to cameras have been shown to be less than factual by statisticians who have looked at the methodology used and branded it, shall we say, not as accurate as it might be.
Did you know that of the 1793 sites checked, hundreds saw increases in fatalities and serious injuries and dozens of others saw no change.
The claimed success of the speed camera trial in 6 English police areas in year 2000 was branded " lying with statistics" by Cardiff University statisticians.
I have seen the actual trial figures and in three of the six areas, deaths rose by up to 19% during the trials. If there is to be an honest debate, why was this not brought more widely to public attention.
No doubt we both wish to see safer roads but for goodness sake look at the true figures not the spin.
What is needed is not more cameras but more marked police cars with professionals who can remove the truly dangerous drivers from our roads.
Yours faithfully
>>> Edited by Tafia on Sunday 27th June 12:17
Dear Mr Tami,
I have read of your support for the failed speed camera policy several times in various Chester Chronicles and perhaps you are not aware that in 2003, with over 5000 speed traps across UK, far from the fatalities reducing as the official spin would have the public believe, deaths rose by 2.2% to the highest level since 1998; 3508.
North Wales deaths rose by 13.6%, South Wales rose by 34% and Dyfed Powys rose by 38%. Some areas in England with the highest number of cameras saw the biggest increases in deaths.
I was horrified to see the Daily Post proclaim across two whole pages that Brunstrom's stance on cameras had been vindicated due to an alleged 60% reduction in KSI across North Wales whilst no mention was made of the rise in dead bodies. They reported a few days later, in two column inches, that deaths are actually rising.
The recent "statistics" from the DfT which claim 100 lives saved due to cameras have been shown to be less than factual by statisticians who have looked at the methodology used and branded it, shall we say, not as accurate as it might be.
Did you know that of the 1793 sites checked, hundreds saw increases in fatalities and serious injuries and dozens of others saw no change.
The claimed success of the speed camera trial in 6 English police areas in year 2000 was branded " lying with statistics" by Cardiff University statisticians.
I have seen the actual trial figures and in three of the six areas, deaths rose by up to 19% during the trials. If there is to be an honest debate, why was this not brought more widely to public attention.
No doubt we both wish to see safer roads but for goodness sake look at the true figures not the spin.
What is needed is not more cameras but more marked police cars with professionals who can remove the truly dangerous drivers from our roads.
Yours faithfully
>>> Edited by Tafia on Sunday 27th June 12:17
Keep it up Tafia 
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