BRISTOL ACADEMICS WILL SEE IF ROADS REALLY ARE SAF
Discussion
I'm sure this will be a fine, objective piece of science 
. What's the point when it's sponsored by the scameraship and the project leader is publishing conclusions before the research has taken place...?
BRISTOL ACADEMICS WILL SEE IF ROADS REALLY ARE SAFER
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BY IAN TURNER
11:00 - 23 September 2004
A Study to determine whether speed cameras stop death and injury on the roads is to be carried out by a team of Bristol academics. Researchers from the Centre for Public Health Research at the University of the West of England (UWE) will investigate if speed cameras prevent accidents and save money spent on emergency admissions to hospital.
The 18-month study is funded by the Avon and Somerset Safety Camera Partnership.
Researchers will work closely with the camera partnership, NHS, police and South West Public Health Observatory to identify any link between driving speed, collisions and hospital admissions.
The project will be led by Dr Selena Grey, who will work with researcher Karen Johnson and Dr Judy Orme, director of UWE's Centre for Public Health Research.
Dr Orme said: "We want to find out if speed cameras prevent accidents and reduce costs to the NHS.
"Speed is recognised as an important contributory factor to road traffic collisions. Speed cameras are increasingly being used as a tool to slow traffic down and reduce the number and severity of collisions.
"Cameras play an important role in improving health. More integrated use of health and road safety data will allow the effects of speed cameras on the NHS to be explored in greater depth."
The number of people killed on roads has fallen by more than a third since the safety camera partnership was set up in the Bristol area just over two years ago, according to figures released in July.
However, it emerged that an average of 130 people are still injured on roads in Somerset and the former county of Avon each week.
From April 1 last year to March 31 this year, 66 people died in road accidents - 22 fewer than the same period the year before.
And the number of injuries on the area's roads fell to 6,804 from 6,927 the year before.
Researchers will look at data from before speed cameras were introduced and compare this with data collected since.
Dr Orme said: "We're particularly interested in the outcomes as speed cameras get a lot of bad press as they are currently perceived as traps or money spinners."
www.thisisbristol.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145176&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144906&contentPK=11002526
>>> Edited by Mon Ami Mate on Thursday 23 September 17:32
. What's the point when it's sponsored by the scameraship and the project leader is publishing conclusions before the research has taken place...? BRISTOL ACADEMICS WILL SEE IF ROADS REALLY ARE SAFER
Next Story | Previous Story | Back to list
BY IAN TURNER
11:00 - 23 September 2004
A Study to determine whether speed cameras stop death and injury on the roads is to be carried out by a team of Bristol academics. Researchers from the Centre for Public Health Research at the University of the West of England (UWE) will investigate if speed cameras prevent accidents and save money spent on emergency admissions to hospital.
The 18-month study is funded by the Avon and Somerset Safety Camera Partnership.
Researchers will work closely with the camera partnership, NHS, police and South West Public Health Observatory to identify any link between driving speed, collisions and hospital admissions.
The project will be led by Dr Selena Grey, who will work with researcher Karen Johnson and Dr Judy Orme, director of UWE's Centre for Public Health Research.
Dr Orme said: "We want to find out if speed cameras prevent accidents and reduce costs to the NHS.
"Speed is recognised as an important contributory factor to road traffic collisions. Speed cameras are increasingly being used as a tool to slow traffic down and reduce the number and severity of collisions.
"Cameras play an important role in improving health. More integrated use of health and road safety data will allow the effects of speed cameras on the NHS to be explored in greater depth."
The number of people killed on roads has fallen by more than a third since the safety camera partnership was set up in the Bristol area just over two years ago, according to figures released in July.
However, it emerged that an average of 130 people are still injured on roads in Somerset and the former county of Avon each week.
From April 1 last year to March 31 this year, 66 people died in road accidents - 22 fewer than the same period the year before.
And the number of injuries on the area's roads fell to 6,804 from 6,927 the year before.
Researchers will look at data from before speed cameras were introduced and compare this with data collected since.
Dr Orme said: "We're particularly interested in the outcomes as speed cameras get a lot of bad press as they are currently perceived as traps or money spinners."
www.thisisbristol.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145176&command=displayContent&sourceNode=144906&contentPK=11002526
>>> Edited by Mon Ami Mate on Thursday 23 September 17:32
Isn't fair to criticise them before they've published, but that comment from Dr Orme ain't too scientific. Interesting to note that:
Dr Selena Grey specialises in chronic eye disease and the impact of optometrists and patterns of flexible working for junior doctors.
Karen Johnson (?) formerly of University College Worcester, subject: Midwifery
Dr Judy Orme (sic) young people and drug prevention
They all look like social scientists. I can't find anything that suggets any of them has a background in statistics or a subject that would require a good grasp of statistics, e.g. epidemiology. Because road crashes occur so infrequently compared to the number of journeys, distances covered, time spent travelling, etc., that looking for patterns in the data and trying to infere cause and effect from the data is a statistical minefield. It is not impossible by any stretch of the imagination, but it takes someone with real skill and experience.
Dr Selena Grey specialises in chronic eye disease and the impact of optometrists and patterns of flexible working for junior doctors.
Karen Johnson (?) formerly of University College Worcester, subject: Midwifery
Dr Judy Orme (sic) young people and drug prevention
They all look like social scientists. I can't find anything that suggets any of them has a background in statistics or a subject that would require a good grasp of statistics, e.g. epidemiology. Because road crashes occur so infrequently compared to the number of journeys, distances covered, time spent travelling, etc., that looking for patterns in the data and trying to infere cause and effect from the data is a statistical minefield. It is not impossible by any stretch of the imagination, but it takes someone with real skill and experience.
Mon Ami Mate said:
I'm sure this will be a fine, objective piece of science
BRISTOL ACADEMICS WILL SEE IF ROADS REALLY ARE SAFER
"Cameras play an important role in improving health."
>>> Edited by Mon Ami Mate on Thursday 23 September 17:32
Yeah, of course they do. I train with one every morning in the gym, then we do about four miles on the track. I pump iron, it pumps the motorist.
"Speed is recognised as an important contributory factor to road traffic collisions."
Couldn't agree more but exactly how are they going to establish at what speed the accident occured?
They can'y do it can they?
If someone knows how this will be done can they post their method here please?
Couldn't agree more but exactly how are they going to establish at what speed the accident occured?
They can'y do it can they?
If someone knows how this will be done can they post their method here please?
Somebody said:
....However, it emerged that an average of 130 people are still injured on roads in Somerset and the former county of Avon each week.
From April 1 last year to March 31 this year, 66 people died in road accidents - 22 fewer than the same period the year before.
And the number of injuries on the area's roads fell to 6,804 from 6,927 the year before.
Given the magnitude of the above highlighted statistics compared to the population in the area or moving through the area, the number of journeys made,and the total miles driven over all journeys I cant see how any meaningful conclusions can be arrived at.
The injuries/deaths are so small compared to the expected total sample group I cant believe a trend can be determined.
Which leads me to believe big statements will be made based upon the fact small numbers have gone down and not up.
destroyer said:
"Speed is recognised as an important contributory factor to road traffic collisions."
Couldn't agree more but exactly how are they going to establish at what speed the accident occured?
They can'y do it can they?
If someone knows how this will be done can they post their method here please?
I'm not sure how you can agree with this when time after time on this site, it has been shown that there is a lot more to it than such simple thinking. Unfortunately, you are one of the speed control supporters who seem to evaporate whenever you are presented with a counter argument.
The most absurd thing in your comments above, is that you state speed is a contributory factor in road traffic collisions and then go on to say that you don't know how to establish at what speed a accident occurred!
It just so happens that Bath Magistrates Court is a trial Court for (Not for much longer) Section 172 offences.
I represented in such a case on the 14th of September. Data taken from the Court listings that day. Court 1 12 S172 cases 1 assault charge. Court 2 18 S172 cases.
If anyone is familier with the Bath Bristol area then they would now of the drug problems within the two cities. This coupled with other crimes related to drugs makes you think "Sort the bigger problems out"
I represented in such a case on the 14th of September. Data taken from the Court listings that day. Court 1 12 S172 cases 1 assault charge. Court 2 18 S172 cases.
If anyone is familier with the Bath Bristol area then they would now of the drug problems within the two cities. This coupled with other crimes related to drugs makes you think "Sort the bigger problems out"
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