Speed cameras whacked in North Wales newspaper
Discussion
This letter is in this weeks edition of the Chester Chronicle.
Dear Editor,
Those of us keenly interested in road safety were dismayed to learn that those who constantly tell us, “Speed cameras save lives” have been proved fatally wrong yet again.
Figures obtained by ITV Wales for 2003 reveal a horrendous rise in fatalities in three Welsh police areas under the “life-saving” speed camera regime. North Wales has seen a rise of 13.6% in deaths; Dyfed Powys, an increase of 38% in deaths and South Wales - loudly proclaimed as a participant in the “successful” speed camera trial - has seen deaths increase by 34%.
We are told the traps are only placed where most accidents are happening and fatalities have been reduced by 40% at these “danger spots”. How can that possibly be true if deaths have risen?
I am informed that sixteen areas of Great Britain for which figures are available have seen an average rise in deaths of 9%; those areas with most cameras seeing some of the biggest rises; for example; Hampshire camera numbers have risen from 23 in 2001 to 51 in 2003 and deaths have risen from 69 to 104; a 51% increase.
No doubt the speed camera partnerships will now be wondering how to present the abject failure of this apparent obsession with speed limit offences as success. Will they claim, “deaths have fallen within 35 inches of our cameras and we cannot be everywhere”. But when deaths reduced in 2002, they claimed credit for the whole area.
Will they bury the rise in deaths by quoting Killed and Seriously Injured figures (KSI) or compare 2003 with the average of an historic period when deaths were even higher? By doing that, they can claim a reduction even if there is a year on year rise.
As the death toll increases, they tell us they are on target to achieve a 40% reduction in deaths by 2010.
In reverse, perhaps?
Dear Editor,
Those of us keenly interested in road safety were dismayed to learn that those who constantly tell us, “Speed cameras save lives” have been proved fatally wrong yet again.
Figures obtained by ITV Wales for 2003 reveal a horrendous rise in fatalities in three Welsh police areas under the “life-saving” speed camera regime. North Wales has seen a rise of 13.6% in deaths; Dyfed Powys, an increase of 38% in deaths and South Wales - loudly proclaimed as a participant in the “successful” speed camera trial - has seen deaths increase by 34%.
We are told the traps are only placed where most accidents are happening and fatalities have been reduced by 40% at these “danger spots”. How can that possibly be true if deaths have risen?
I am informed that sixteen areas of Great Britain for which figures are available have seen an average rise in deaths of 9%; those areas with most cameras seeing some of the biggest rises; for example; Hampshire camera numbers have risen from 23 in 2001 to 51 in 2003 and deaths have risen from 69 to 104; a 51% increase.
No doubt the speed camera partnerships will now be wondering how to present the abject failure of this apparent obsession with speed limit offences as success. Will they claim, “deaths have fallen within 35 inches of our cameras and we cannot be everywhere”. But when deaths reduced in 2002, they claimed credit for the whole area.
Will they bury the rise in deaths by quoting Killed and Seriously Injured figures (KSI) or compare 2003 with the average of an historic period when deaths were even higher? By doing that, they can claim a reduction even if there is a year on year rise.
As the death toll increases, they tell us they are on target to achieve a 40% reduction in deaths by 2010.
In reverse, perhaps?
yup, i read that too in the local rag, i'd love to shake the authors hand 
All the right points covered, with little oppertunity for any smokescreen tactics from any scamera representitives that MAY wish to reply.
Unfortunately, the scamera people from cheshire and northwales have a habit of only replying to the letters of praise in the Chronicle.......Selective interest.........surely not from such a life saving organisation?
All the right points covered, with little oppertunity for any smokescreen tactics from any scamera representitives that MAY wish to reply.
Unfortunately, the scamera people from cheshire and northwales have a habit of only replying to the letters of praise in the Chronicle.......Selective interest.........surely not from such a life saving organisation?
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff