Cameras prevent 100 deaths a year
15 June 2004 The University College London study for the Department for Transport found that death and serious injury rates at speed camera sites have fallen by 40%. As well as reducing fatalities by 100 a year, serious injuries at camera sites have fallen by 770 a year, the UCL study found, while other injuries fell by 4030. Average speeds at camera sites have fallen by 7.7%, or 2.4mph, while the number of cars exceeding limits at new locations was slashed by 71%. The study examined 24 of the UK's speed camera partnerships. These allow police forces to keep the revenue raised by speeding fines, so long as camera sites abide by strict DfT rules which aim to place the emphasis on safety rather than their money-raising potential. Although a recent DfT review of sites found none that breached these criteria, transport secretary Alistair Darling today admitted that results from some locations did not show a significant improvement in safety. Darling said partnerships would now have to review these sites to see whether the cameras were still suitable. He called on motorists to complain to police forces if they thought traps were being sited inappropriately. The UCL results have been welcomed by motoring groups, although the RAC Foundation says that more traffic police are needed to clamp down on other dangerous offences which cannot by detected by cameras. The number of traffic police has been slashed by 11% as the number of speed cameras has increased. the Foundation says.
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