Letter Published in Shropshire Star Today
Discussion
Dear Sirs
Given that the West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership is a commercial operation it appears remarkably cavalier with regard to claims made for the success of the products that generate its revenue. I understand the Advertising Standards Authority has instructed at least one partnership from another county to withdraw certain misleading adverts; perhaps it’s time for Trading Standards to spend a little time at West Mercia?
Their latest claims published in The Shropshire Star are so extreme as to be almost embarrassing, never mind misleading.
“Speed cameras have dramatically slashed the number of accidents taking place in the town”? So four fixed cameras covering a total of 200 metres of road have slashed accidents across the whole town? That’s quite a claim!
It is stated that three quarters of motorists are now sticking to the town’s 30 mph limit. I can certainly believe this is true at the camera sites. But across the whole town? How?
Crashes are down by 55% at camera sites. It’s strange that I’ve never seen one. However it’s called regression to the mean where a peak in accidents returns to the average and conveniently equips speed camera partnerships with “statistics” to claim a success. It’s a powerful but misleading marketing tool.
I’d like to suggest that if any other business in the county made such sweeping claims for their products to help underpin their profitability then they would quickly come under close scrutiny by the relevant authorities.
Yours faithfully
“RegMolehusband”
The 5th para doesn't read too well due to editing but I'm pleased they published it.
There was also a big article relating to a survey of 2000 drivers, doesn't say by who, thoug it may be by "Swiftcover".....
69% caught by speed cameras considered themselves to have been driving safely
54% believe speed cameras make people driver erratically (braking accelerating)
71% said cameras make motorists less aware of hazards (i.e. distraction)
66% said they were just revenue generators
"Reg"
Given that the West Mercia Safety Camera Partnership is a commercial operation it appears remarkably cavalier with regard to claims made for the success of the products that generate its revenue. I understand the Advertising Standards Authority has instructed at least one partnership from another county to withdraw certain misleading adverts; perhaps it’s time for Trading Standards to spend a little time at West Mercia?
Their latest claims published in The Shropshire Star are so extreme as to be almost embarrassing, never mind misleading.
“Speed cameras have dramatically slashed the number of accidents taking place in the town”? So four fixed cameras covering a total of 200 metres of road have slashed accidents across the whole town? That’s quite a claim!
It is stated that three quarters of motorists are now sticking to the town’s 30 mph limit. I can certainly believe this is true at the camera sites. But across the whole town? How?
Crashes are down by 55% at camera sites. It’s strange that I’ve never seen one. However it’s called regression to the mean where a peak in accidents returns to the average and conveniently equips speed camera partnerships with “statistics” to claim a success. It’s a powerful but misleading marketing tool.
I’d like to suggest that if any other business in the county made such sweeping claims for their products to help underpin their profitability then they would quickly come under close scrutiny by the relevant authorities.
Yours faithfully
“RegMolehusband”
The 5th para doesn't read too well due to editing but I'm pleased they published it.
There was also a big article relating to a survey of 2000 drivers, doesn't say by who, thoug it may be by "Swiftcover".....
69% caught by speed cameras considered themselves to have been driving safely
54% believe speed cameras make people driver erratically (braking accelerating)
71% said cameras make motorists less aware of hazards (i.e. distraction)
66% said they were just revenue generators
"Reg"
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