Camera era comes to a close

[miniman]

From today's Autocar:

Autocar said:

The government has announced the end of the National Safety Camera Partnership.... The Government will no longer collate data about the effectiveness of speed cameras.... Money from central Government funds can now be used for various road safety measures including electronic vehicle activated signs. One suggestion is that (saftey camera partnerships) will switch to clamping down on drivers using mobile phones and tracking down untaxed and uninsured cars

Not sure about the "no longer collate data" bit - they can't "prove" that the scameras are effective anymore, but neither can anyone else "prove" otherwise.

But generally seems like a step in the right direction...

[jasandjules]

Somehow, I cannot see that happening.

Too much of a cash cow to let go so easily.

[pdV6]

Surely all that means is that they're no long measuring the "performance" of cameras - rather just happy to let them keep on raking in the cash without any need to justify themselves on road safety grounds?

[Einion Yrth]

pdV6 said:

Surely all that means is that they're no long measuring the "performance" of cameras - rather just happy to let them keep on raking in the cash without any need to justify themselves on road safety grounds?

SCPs no longer have any financial incentive to install cameras, they are now supported by government grant. The grant may be used for things other than cameras, VAS and SID for instance, even road engineering. Now we can see if the prats ever had any interest in road safety, or not. I must admit I shall try to avoid holding my breath.

[g_attrill]

Einion Yrth said:

SCPs no longer have any financial incentive to install cameras, they are now supported by government grant. The grant may be used for things other than cameras, VAS and SID for instance, even road engineering. Now we can see if the prats ever had any interest in road safety, or not. I must admit I shall try to avoid holding my breath.

The Road Safety grants are secured at a certain level for the next few years. I am not sure whether it is combined with what they used to get for road safety or whether it is fresh funding. Either way, I have read quite a few moans from the SCP press departments that they will have to cut enforcement, and I suspect that the local authorities will now show that when they are able to spend the money on other things they aren't quite the fans of speed cameras as they used to be!

Also the majority of the staff are seconded from the councils, police and CPS, so any redundancies would be minimal.

[Sam_68]

pdV6 said:

Surely all that means is that they're no long measuring the "performance" of cameras - rather just happy to let them keep on raking in the cash without any need to justify themselves on road safety grounds?

Look forward to a statement in the near future saying that the case for speed cameras has been proven beyond all doubt, therefore there is no need to collate future statistics on their effectiveness...