Road safety groups unite in defence of speed cameras
Friday 27 August 2010 Back to Blog
Speed cameras may soon become a thing of the past for van leasing drivers as government funding cuts mean many councils are having to turn them off.
However, a number of influential road safety groups have urged the government to recognise the benefits fixed speed cameras bring and match this with funding.
In an open communique, the various groups write: "Switching off cameras systematically would be close to creating a void in law enforcement on the road. Cameras currently account for 84 per cent of fixed penalty notices for speeding.
"While public spending needs to be cut, cuts must be justified by evidence. Cameras pay for themselves and currently make an important contribution to achieving compliance with the speed limit."
They argue that speed cameras help to save 100 lives a year in the UK.
It is signed by representatives of, among others, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, The AA and GEM Motoring Assist.
Swindon and Oxfordshire Councils have already turned off speed cameras with several others set to follow suit.