Speed cameras don't work: official
More evidence against cash cameras
Speed cameras don't work
Trials on the M42 near Birmingham found that devices which shamed drivers passing roadworks into slowing down were more effective than speed cameras, even though no penalties were issued.
That's according to a piece in this morning's Times newspaper, which said that the vehicle-activated devices showed drivers' numberplates on a big sign at the roadside, rather than snapping them and issuing penalty notices. The trials were conducted in a 50 mph temporary limit, and discovered that half the vehicles travelling faster than 55mph slowed down to close to the speed limit, including two thirds of those exceeding 60mph.
The Department for Transport (DfT) found that a similar area infested with cameras only slowed a third of cars, and they soon speeded up after passing the camera. And the cameras were generating thousands of pounds, confirming that they're not effective in slowing people down.
Road campaign Safe Speed said that this was a move in the right direction, but that it didn't come with an admission from the DfT that "speed cameras have comprehensively failed as a road safety intervention".
According to Safe Speed, research commissioned by the Highways Agency and uncovered by Safe Speed using the Freedom of Information Act, warns that fixed speed cameras are associated with a 55 per cent increase in injury crashes at motorway road works.
Campaign founder Paul Smith said: "Speed cameras don't work, and I'm very relieved to hear that we will not be using them as often in the future. However, part of the problem is an excessive degree of focus on numerical vehicle speed and it seems we will have to wait some more before Department for Transport wakes up to reality.
"I am quite sure that Department for Transport is now aware of the failure of its policies but is refusing to admit it. This is an appalling state of affairs - people are dying on our roads simply because ministers are not prepared to admit their mistakes.
"We will not get road safety back on track until all the speed cameras are scrapped."
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Glad to see that more of these devices are being used. One has just gone up near me and others have appeared in Derbyshire and Cheshire, so government is taking heed.
If they really did have an interest in improving safety, however, they would uproot all cameras and substitute these signs.
The old argument that vehicle activated signs are magnets for boy racers, going for the record indicated speed, are easily avoided by flashing up only the speed limit.
Come on, Ladyman, you know it makes sense...even if it doesn't make money.
I'm surprised Brunstrom isn't flogging his guts to make Blair change policy on this issue. After all, Dickie boy's sole motive is safety, isn't it...?
I agree - I don't slow down if some patronising sign tells me I'm 2/5/10 mph over the limit. I'd rather select my own safe speed for the road.
But the advantage of the flashing sign is that because there is no fear of punishment, you could lift off to slow down, rather than panic brake. You can also give a cursory extra check of your speedo, rather than becoming obsessed with it for fear of punishment.
I see these signs as a gentle reminder at a pertinent time, rather than a kick up the backside when it's too late to adjust your behaviour or even remember what you did wrong.
Defeatist...
I can show you one that's been removed in Sheffield and one that's been removed in Renishaw and several that are still in situ but decommissioned in Chesterfield...
So there....
Not defeatist old chum, merely change of tictacs. Despite the efforts of the ABD, Safespeed and the IAM these things are here to stay. If they do go they will be replaced by talivans manned by HATO. Which would you prefer?
I'm beginning to see the light........from a smouldering tyre on a pole
Ahem! That's not true. I've been full time 'challenging big brother' for three and a half years now. And I've had some worthwhile, no some essential, financial support from the good folk hereabouts.
I do need more support though. I'm now personally £13,000 and 20,000 unpaid hours out of pocket. Don't underestimate the impact. We definitely have the DfT on the run.
PLEASE folks, help support Safe Speed. £5 or £5,000 all support greatly appreciated, and I promise to put every penny to excellent use. See: www.safespeed.org.uk/join.html
Or click the following Paypal link directly for a donation of any amount: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=psm
The best way for change is to come up with reasnoble ideas and lobby for them to replace the stupid laws and things we have rather then blathering on how bad the the laws are!
You got the sum wrong - 3.5 years * 365 days * 15.66 hours ~= 20,000
It's also the wrong sum. I've been doing it for over five years, and put in over 5,000 hours before I went full time in early 2003.
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