27/01/2011
Speed Camera Study In Focus
According to a new study by Which? over half the fixed cameras in England and Wales don’t work at any one time.
The consumer watchdog found that Sussex had 60 fully functional cameras, while only 10% of Lancashire’s 287 yellow boxes were snapping motorists at any one time. Meanwhile Cleveland, Durham, North Yorkshire and Wiltshire don’t have any fixed cameras at all.
Debates are ongoing regarding the ability for cameras to cut accidents. The study reported how eighteen months before the Oxfordshire switch-off, Swindon did the same, and reported no change in its accident rate.
Last month the RAC said that 800 more people would be killed or seriously injured on the UK’s roads if all speed cameras were to be switched off.
The Which? Study, titled 'The Truth About Speed Cameras', reported that 83% of people agreed that fixed cameras only stop people speeding at certain locations.
It also found that certain counties have more yellow boxes than actual cameras, and that devices get moved around depending on speed and accident statistics.
The report also found that local road safety grants, which are no longer ring fenced due to government cuts, force councils to save money by removing speed cameras.
Last year Oxfordshire County Council deactivated 89 mobile units and 72 fixed cameras.
(BMcN/GK)
The consumer watchdog found that Sussex had 60 fully functional cameras, while only 10% of Lancashire’s 287 yellow boxes were snapping motorists at any one time. Meanwhile Cleveland, Durham, North Yorkshire and Wiltshire don’t have any fixed cameras at all.
Debates are ongoing regarding the ability for cameras to cut accidents. The study reported how eighteen months before the Oxfordshire switch-off, Swindon did the same, and reported no change in its accident rate.
Last month the RAC said that 800 more people would be killed or seriously injured on the UK’s roads if all speed cameras were to be switched off.
The Which? Study, titled 'The Truth About Speed Cameras', reported that 83% of people agreed that fixed cameras only stop people speeding at certain locations.
It also found that certain counties have more yellow boxes than actual cameras, and that devices get moved around depending on speed and accident statistics.
The report also found that local road safety grants, which are no longer ring fenced due to government cuts, force councils to save money by removing speed cameras.
Last year Oxfordshire County Council deactivated 89 mobile units and 72 fixed cameras.
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
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24 February 2004
London to see speed camera policy thrown into reverse
One third of London's 400 speed cameras may eventually be replaced with high-tech smart signs that will warn motorists when they are driving too fast. The move follows criticism of speed cameras which Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens said were aimed at raising fine revenues rather than reducing incidents at accident blackspots.
London to see speed camera policy thrown into reverse
One third of London's 400 speed cameras may eventually be replaced with high-tech smart signs that will warn motorists when they are driving too fast. The move follows criticism of speed cameras which Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens said were aimed at raising fine revenues rather than reducing incidents at accident blackspots.
12 October 2005
Campaigners call for lower village speed limits
Rural campaigners are urging the government to introduce 30mph speed limits in villages. A survey by the Campaign to Protect Rural England found that 70% of county councils are not implementing a 30mph speed limit in villages. In Buckinghamshire, the researchers found that over 100 villages had a 60mph speed limit.
Campaigners call for lower village speed limits
Rural campaigners are urging the government to introduce 30mph speed limits in villages. A survey by the Campaign to Protect Rural England found that 70% of county councils are not implementing a 30mph speed limit in villages. In Buckinghamshire, the researchers found that over 100 villages had a 60mph speed limit.
06 May 2005
Electric car speed record attempt rescheduled
Following the postponement of Thursday's attempt on the official land speed record for an electric powered vehicle, the team of British engineers hope to be able to make a run later today. Thursday's planned attempt had to be abandoned due to strong crosswinds in the area of the Nevada test run site.
Electric car speed record attempt rescheduled
Following the postponement of Thursday's attempt on the official land speed record for an electric powered vehicle, the team of British engineers hope to be able to make a run later today. Thursday's planned attempt had to be abandoned due to strong crosswinds in the area of the Nevada test run site.
05 May 2005
Electric car charges towards record speeds
A British team of engineers is set to take on the official land speed record for an electric powered vehicle in Nevada later today. Prior to Thursday's planned runs, driver Mark Newby said: “All our tests and our test runs point in the direction of us being able to set a new record speed.
Electric car charges towards record speeds
A British team of engineers is set to take on the official land speed record for an electric powered vehicle in Nevada later today. Prior to Thursday's planned runs, driver Mark Newby said: “All our tests and our test runs point in the direction of us being able to set a new record speed.
21 June 2007
Jessops cut stores and jobs
High Street photographic chain Jessops has announced it is to axe 81 stores in a cutback as part of a "strategic review". The company said that 47 of the stores were "overlapping," 31 were loss making and three were being redeveloped.
Jessops cut stores and jobs
High Street photographic chain Jessops has announced it is to axe 81 stores in a cutback as part of a "strategic review". The company said that 47 of the stores were "overlapping," 31 were loss making and three were being redeveloped.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.