Drivers lose faith in speed cameras
Most agree that scameras reduce road safety and cause erratic driving: survey
This is a hazard, say most motorists
The report, prepared by Datamonitor, reveals that:
- There are over 2.2 million speeding convictions handed out each year, so one in ten of the nation’s motorists gets a conviction.
- Of those convicted, four out of five have a clean licence when caught.
- The number of convictions has more than trebled (328 per cent) in ten years, driven by the increase in cameras, from 519,000 in 1993. Over the same time frame, traffic increased by 17 per cent.
- The revenue generated from the fines exceeds £114 million each year.
- The additional cost of insurance for those caught by speed cameras is £36 million so speed cameras cost the nation’s drivers £150 million each year.
Driver attitudes
In marked contrast to public opinion survey results from camera partnerships and the Department for Transport (DfT), some of the swiftcover.com findings are as follows:
- Only 13 per cent agreed with the statement: "The best way to increase safe driving is speed cameras."
- 54 per cent think that speed cameras cause erratic driving.
- 71 per cent think that speed cameras are more likely to miss road hazards.
- 69 per cent of those caught by speed camera say: 'I was driving safely for the road conditions at the time.'
- Only 14 per cent disagreed with the statement: 'Speed cameras are used mainly as a revenue generating opportunity.'
Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign, said: "These findings are no surprise to me. I have been warning that speed cameras make our roads more dangerous for years. However I am considerably relieved to see that the misleading government claims have failed to delude most drivers."
"The government claims that 80 per cent (or so) of people support speed cameras. This survey (conducted under proper conditions by a reputable professional research company) proves, once again, that government figures are highly misleading."
Blowers said: “This widespread condemnation of the speed camera is to be expected when they seem to be springing up on every corner and one in ten motorists is stung with a conviction every year. With this in mind, it isn’t surprising that the vast majority of the nation’s motorists believe they are ineffective and are nothing but a distraction leading to erratic and potentially dangerous driving.”
Smith said: "Please listen, Mr Darling and Dr Ladyman. We don't want your cameras. We don't believe they make us safer. We don't have any faith in your road safety policies. Bite the bullet, admit that speed cameras don't work, and let's get back to real road safety policies. Your infernal cameras are killing us indirectly, because, at best, they replace genuine life-saving road safety policies."
Swiftcover's boss Andrew Blowers said: “The plague of speed cameras on the nation’s roads, hits the motorist hard in the pocket. Getting flashed by a camera is of course a double whammy for many as not only are they hit with the fine, but the conviction can lead to an increase in insurance premiums.” Like many other insurers, Swiftcover doesn't load the premium for those with a single conviction.
Links
Failed, that is, to "get their message across". Cue more lies and propaganda. Perhaps it'll be taken as a signal that some of these ill gotten gains should be spend employing more people in non-jobs promoting the "good" work cameras are doing.
They're balls deep into this speed camera policy and they can't possibly back down now.
I can't help thinking Paul Smith is too charitable by describing the downright lies as "misleading". 80% indeed...
SM
Marki said:Due to the well-funded (by us these days) spin machine propping up speed cameras using safety myths and legends, some trusting non-enthusiast MoPs - and that's the majority - were rpepared to believe in the authorities as wishing to improve road safety. Now the scam has been blown apart by millions of prosecutions for absolutely bugger all return on investment, the worm is indeed turning. The sooner we're totally rid of this plague of orwellian cash machines, the better.
Did we ever have faith in them
supermono said:
Cue more lies and propaganda. Perhaps it'll be taken as a signal that some of these ill gotten gains should be spend employing more people in non-jobs promoting the "good" work cameras are doing.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=258035&f=10&h=0
Big spend on (amongst other things) advertising. Well that didn't take long did it?
SM
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