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Home > The controversy surrounding the effectiveness of speed cameras in reducing traffic fatalities from road accidents
January 12, 2011
By: Lynn Bryant
There is a significant amount of controversy surrounding
the use of speed cameras on our public roadways. One side
states that the installation of speed cameras has been
responsible for a significant reduction in traffic accidents
and fatalities. However, the opposing side states that there
is no evidence to support the claim that speed cameras
reduce the number of accidents. The purpose of this article
is to review some of the arguments presented by both of
these opposing sides in an effort to determine the true
relationship between speed cameras and road accidents.
Defending speed cameras as a positive influence on
road safety
Speed cameras are employed in many countries around the
world. While their use is on the rise in the United States,
they are not nearly as commonplace here as they are in Great
Britain. Great Britain has more speed cameras installed per
capita than any other country in the world. Therefore, it
would make sense that studies performed on Britain's
roadways would yield the most convincing results as to the
effectiveness of speed camera usage. Following is a list of
studies conducted, mostly in the UK, that support the theory
that speed cameras do in fact reduce the number of
speeding-related traffic fatalities.
- The Highways Agency conducted a six-year
study on the use of speed cameras on west London
roads and found that the number of deaths was reduced
threefold, the number of serious injuries was reduced by
over 25%, and overall minor injuries were greatly
reduced as well. In addition to the roadways studied
that had the cameras installed, neighboring roads that
could have been used as alternatives to avoid the speed
camera devices were also studied. They did not find any
increase in accidents on these neighboring roads. Their
overall determination was that the reduction in traffic
accidents was a direct result of the implementation and
use of speed camera devices.
- An initial three-year study conducted by the
Department of Transport in Great Britain concluded that
speed cameras were effective at reducing speed. In
addition, they saw a 40% reduction in fatalities per
year at locations were speed cameras were in use.
- A study was conducted by The National Public Health
Service for Wales in South Wales to determine the
effectiveness of mobile speed cameras. The study
concluded that the number of injurious crashes was
dramatically reduced when speed camera devices were
implemented. They concluded an almost 50% reduction in
accidents, which was sustained throughout a two year
period during the time the study was conducted.
Evidence against speed cameras at reducing traffic
fatalities
Not everyone is convinced that the use of speed camera
devices actually reduces the number of traffic related
accidents. Paul Smith of
Safe
Speed has spent over 5,000 hours researching the effects
of the UK speed camera policy on local roadways. His overall
conclusion is that speed cameras in fact make roads more
dangerous. He has stated, "Cameras are as likely to cause an
accident as to prevent one."
Part of his research was to review a number of the major
studies conducted in Great Britain, which he has found to be
seriously flawed. In fact, one of the biggest studies cited
above conducted by the Department for Transport was found to
be full of errors. The Department for Transport themselves
admitted their study was flawed, and in many locations where
speed cameras were positioned, casualties increased rather
than decreased.
In a press release published on the Safe Speed website,
several disturbing trends are noted that raise serious
question about the true
effectiveness of speed camera devices. Some of the
points include:
- Casualties due to traffic accidents fell more in
each of the three years before speed cameras were
implemented than they have in the entire ten years since
their were first put to use.
- In 2003, the fatal accident rate rose by 1.3%, after
the installation of speed camera devices.
- Britain shows the least improvement in traffic
fatalities of any European country, yet they incorporate
more speed cameras than any other country.
- Speed camera fines are reportedly doubling every
three years. This is a disturbing statistic, as speed
cameras are supposed to reduce the number of drivers'
who speed.
For more details on Mr. Smith's research, visit the Safe
Speed website at
www.safespeed.org.uk.
While it seems there are convincing arguments on both
sides, it is evident that there is still more research that
has to be done.
About the Author
Lynn Bryant is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com. Your
definitive guide to video surveillance equipment, CCTV
cameras and wireless security systems for home and business.
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