Cameras help make Northern Ireland's roads safer

Superintendent Ian Hamill, Head of the PSNI's Road Policing Development Branch, has announced that on stretches of road where speed cameras are in use there has been a dramatic 27% drop in accidents involving serious injury and death.

The announcement of improved safety where cameras are used comes as the NI Safety Camera Scheme - which uses fixed and mobile cameras to detect speed - approaches its first anniversary on July 1. Since the Safety Camera Scheme began, over 15,600 detections have been made using speed cameras in NI and police officers have made more than 3,000 additional detections.

Supt Hamill said: "Speed is one of the biggest killers on our roads - accounting for one in four deaths. It also contributes significantly to serious injuries. The cameras are only used on roads where there is a history of injury collisions and evidence of speeding. They have contributed to a 27 per cent reduction in deaths and serious injuries in the areas they are used. Research shows that the greater the speed involved in a collision, the greater the likelihood that the injuries will be more serious.

"There is also evidence that a reduction in speed leads to a reduction in crashes. We target our enforcement in four main areas - drink driving, careless or dangerous driving, seatbelts and of course speeding.

While he said he was "encouraged" by the improved safety statistics, he expressed disappointment that over 15,000 motorists had been detected driving well in excess of the speed limit.

Supt Hamill said: "Safety cameras have the potential to make a significant contribution to making Northern Ireland's roads safer. Our message continues to be 'We want to stop you speeding, not catch you speeding'."

He also revealed that police are working closely with the private sector to develop more advanced technology, expected be tested in NI before the end of the year.

The new cameras will be capable of detecting or monitoring average speed over a stretch of road. In addition, existing fixed cameras are also likely to be upgraded to detect speeding vehicles in either direction.

Under the principle of 'making the offender pay', the money received from speeding fines is re-invested into the scheme.

(SP)