RE: A14 Average Speed Cameras To Be Extended
Tuesday 9th November 2010
Police have revealed that the Average speed cameras on the A14 near Cambridge are to be extended.
A14 Average Speed Cameras To Be Extended
Cambridge Specs section to go from 17 to 23 miles
A six-mile extension to the scheme - which already covers 17 miles from the Spittals interchange near Huntingdon (j23) to Girton (j31) - has already been approved, extending the Specs cameras out to Fen Ditton (j34). The project will go out to tender in the New Year.
The scheme has undeniably significantly reduced casualties along the route - deaths and serious injuries have been cut by 68 per cent. To put that into context, 40 people were killed or seriously injured between 15 July 2004 and 15 December 15 2006 in what is now the average speed check section, but from 15 July 2007 to 15 December 2009 that fell to 13.
The cameras have apparently saved £4.3m each year in repairs and emergency services work after crashes, too.
But speaking to Cambridge-News, Inspector Clinton Hale, manager of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Camera Unit, admitted that the Specs system isn't perfect: "The big problem we'll still see on the road is tailgating but new technology has been developed to deal with the problem."
That's presumably a reference to the new Asset cameras currently being tested in Finland, which can log up to five different motoring offences at once.
The pro-motoring group the Association of British Drivers (ABD) also called into question the validity of citing the Specs cameras as the sole reason for the drop in casualties.
Speaking to PistonHeads, a spokesman for the ABD said: "We suspect there is more to these figures than just the average speed cameras - there must be other elements that have helped reduce casualties. Average speed cameras just make drivers stressed and tired."
Discussion
Sod it, why don't we all ditch our cars and buy golf buggies, then we can all poodle along at 15mph 
I drive along this road regularly (twice a week). Friday afternoons are pretty much bumper to bumper. One sneeze from one driver would cause a pile up. There is definatley no room for silly buggers messing about, so I am for this. HGVs need to be watched closely too. I borrowed a Fiesta the other week and was forced into the gravel by one HGV overtaking another and not seeing (or caring) that I was in the other lane. They also seem to overtake each other with 0.000001 mph speed difference. This is all though, due to this being THE main road from the Midlands to the East coast ports (Felixstowe & Harwich) being built on the cheap. It surely warrants being a motorway with motorway regs. and safety (e.g. hard shoulder).
rgracin said:
The figures would be more meaningful if they included the number of incidents as well as casualties.
Yep - though perhaps total casualties (not just killed or seriously injured) might help too?15 July 12004 to 15 December 2006: total of 342 casualties.
15 July 2007 to 15 December 2009: total of 215 casualties.
rgracin said:
The figures would be more meaningful if they included the number of incidents as well as casualties.
Traffic volume is another stat useful to bring context.That is often the case behind these kind of headlines stats - show what will put the speed camera in best light, ignore all other stats and factors.
Ah, so this being one of the busiest stretches of road in the country and overdue for improvememnt has nothing to do with it.
The improvements that were promised have been shelved (understandable as we are short of cash) so instead we get revenue raising cameras. How anyone speeds on that road during the day, when it is at its most dangerous, is beyond me, the only time that I can imagine you could exceed 70mph would be the middle of the night, and I not even sure about that. I would hazard a guess that the average speed of the road has probably reduced more due to volume of traffic than the scameras and this in turn has reduced the level of injuries.
The improvements that were promised have been shelved (understandable as we are short of cash) so instead we get revenue raising cameras. How anyone speeds on that road during the day, when it is at its most dangerous, is beyond me, the only time that I can imagine you could exceed 70mph would be the middle of the night, and I not even sure about that. I would hazard a guess that the average speed of the road has probably reduced more due to volume of traffic than the scameras and this in turn has reduced the level of injuries.
I use this section regularly, 9 times out of 10 there's an HGV 3cm from my bumper, it's terrifying!
Why do most drivers on the A14 have an aversion to the inside lane? Drives me nuts!!
Another problem is that when it is busy and you're in the outside lane, you can't pull off because they're all tailgating each other in the inside lane.
Why do most drivers on the A14 have an aversion to the inside lane? Drives me nuts!!
Another problem is that when it is busy and you're in the outside lane, you can't pull off because they're all tailgating each other in the inside lane.
I never thought I would say this - but I would also also agree with the extension.
All party politics and cynical quips to one side, my experience (and I use this road a lot) is that the average speed cameras have helped to make the journey along the A14 a lot easier and less stressful.
Ok - so maybe on a clear traffic day, or late at night, the journey takes a couple of minutes longer... but for me it is worth it, because there are far less major snarl ups due to accidents than there used to be. And speaking personally, I am happy to take a couple of minutes longer to get throught that section - rather than to sit in a few hour tail back every few weeks.
This of course is quite aside from the main benefit which is less people getting killed along there.
Yes - it is annoying when lorries overtake each other so slowly, and yes it is annoying when idiots weave in and out - but try to see the bigger picture here - less people are dying.
All party politics and cynical quips to one side, my experience (and I use this road a lot) is that the average speed cameras have helped to make the journey along the A14 a lot easier and less stressful.
Ok - so maybe on a clear traffic day, or late at night, the journey takes a couple of minutes longer... but for me it is worth it, because there are far less major snarl ups due to accidents than there used to be. And speaking personally, I am happy to take a couple of minutes longer to get throught that section - rather than to sit in a few hour tail back every few weeks.
This of course is quite aside from the main benefit which is less people getting killed along there.
Yes - it is annoying when lorries overtake each other so slowly, and yes it is annoying when idiots weave in and out - but try to see the bigger picture here - less people are dying.
The scheme has undeniably significantly reduced casualties along the route - deaths and serious injuries have been cut by 68 per cent. To put that into context, 40 people were killed or seriously injured between 15 July 2004 and 15 December 15 2006 in what is now the average speed check section, but from 15 July 2007 to 15 December 2009 that fell to 13.
Totally scientific then - no other factors could have affected this of course...............
And I'm sure the figure would never get manipulated so it has to be a good idea to run out Specs all over the country - and yes the Conservatives would never lie...........
And there's a purple pig flying past the window as we speak...................
Totally scientific then - no other factors could have affected this of course...............
And I'm sure the figure would never get manipulated so it has to be a good idea to run out Specs all over the country - and yes the Conservatives would never lie...........
And there's a purple pig flying past the window as we speak...................
Unfortunately the figures of reduced fatalities/casualties make for compelling evidence however what I dont understand is, if the authorities want us to believe these cameras (and others) are for safety and not revenue, why dont they just take points and not fines. That would solve the problem surely?
Johnpidge said:
The scheme has undeniably significantly reduced casualties along the route - deaths and serious injuries have been cut by 68 per cent. To put that into context, 40 people were killed or seriously injured between 15 July 2004 and 15 December 15 2006 in what is now the average speed check section, but from 15 July 2007 to 15 December 2009 that fell to 13.
Totally scientific then - no other factors could have affected this of course...............
And I'm sure the figure would never get manipulated so it has to be a good idea to run out Specs all over the country - and yes the Conservatives would never lie...........
And there's a purple pig flying past the window as we speak...................
That's one quick pig - it's just flown past here too! Totally scientific then - no other factors could have affected this of course...............
And I'm sure the figure would never get manipulated so it has to be a good idea to run out Specs all over the country - and yes the Conservatives would never lie...........
And there's a purple pig flying past the window as we speak...................
As an aside, I wonder what the stats would be like if you took two complete calendar years, NOT a cherry-picked range of dates. If they show such a significant improvement as well, then much as I hate to say it the SPECS just may be doing what they're supposed to.
I absolutely hate this stretch of road, I actually use all of the interconnecting lanes around it instead. Only takes me a couple of minutes longer and I actually enjoy the road a lot more. Also quite fun as my car is very loud so I always imagine that the cameras can hear me and can't see me roaring off away from them. Stupid piggy banks. I'm all for finding ways to improve road safety, but with cars the way they are these days 70mph is almost a joke. If anything find a way to make lorries/HGV's take a different path to regular traffic, or keep them in a HGV lane. Only problems I've seen are people stamping on their brakes because some half wit needs to get to the depot 0.1 minute faster than the lorry in front.
steveurq said:
Unfortunately the figures of reduced fatalities/casualties make for compelling evidence however what I dont understand is, if the authorities want us to believe these cameras (and others) are for safety and not revenue, why dont they just take points and not fines. That would solve the problem surely?
I'd almost rather pay the fine and not have any points... am I right is saying that SPECs rarely catches anyone anyway? T
I feel that when cars were first introduced, all car companies were keen to get the fastest car out on the road as transportation was a key point bla bla etc now big brother is forcing the industry to introduce the slowest for safety reasons…..
All it is, all the people that sit in the middle lane of a motorway that causes traffic and accidences!!! Big brother should regulate the quality of drivers and the attitude they drive not slow the cars coz of
drivers!!!
All it is, all the people that sit in the middle lane of a motorway that causes traffic and accidences!!! Big brother should regulate the quality of drivers and the attitude they drive not slow the cars coz of
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