Lancashire mobile speed camera sites to double (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Lancashire mobile speed camera sites to double

6:30am Monday 29th September 2008 in

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THE number of mobile speed camera sites on Lancashire’s roads is set to more than double.

Bosses are preparing to roll out mobile speed camera enforcement to 165 sites across Lancashire in the coming months, an increase of 93.

They say they are addressing people’s worries about speeding drivers in their area.

But opponents say the move is “plainly ridiculous” claiming it will penalise drivers without reducing the number of accidents on the roads.

Currently, as well as the 72 “sites of community concern” where mobile cameras can be used, there are another 300 static camera sites within Lancashire, which may be in use at any given time.

The new sites are currently being decided on a district by district basis through the county council’s Lancashire Local Committees.

County councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for sustainable development, said a list of “sites of community concern” had been drawn up after public consultation.

Coun Tomlinson said the total number of cameras in use would stay the same but would be allocated to a larger number of sites.

He said: “The police aren’t investing any more money in this at the moment - so it will be like spreading the jam a little thinner.

“This is as a result of community concern, where people have asked us to respond.”

But Hugh Blaidon, of the Association of British Drivers, said using new locations for mobile cameras meant they would be more likely to catch out drivers.

He said: “We think this is a total waste of time, money, effort and everything else.

“The government’s own figures say just three per cent of accidents have been caused by people exceeding the speed limit - why do we not concentrate on the 97 per cent that are caused by other factors?

“Mobile cameras are much harder to spot and they will plonk them where they think they can catch the largest number of people.

"This is plainly ridiculous and will penalise drivers for doing nothing in the least bit dangerous.”

Speed cameras in the county are managed by Lancashire Road Safety Partnership.

Ten technicians work throughout the county using mobile cameras, using six vans and two motorbikes.

Linda Sanderson, Communications Manager of Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, said: “Local residents are delighted that they have been listened to and that action to save lives is being taken.

"It is not uncommon for technicians to be brought cups of tea or have driveways offered to them to park the van whilst they carrying out the ad hoc speed checks.”