Lancashire bosses say survey proves speed cameras work (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Lancashire bosses say survey proves speed cameras work

5:52pm Tuesday 2nd September 2008 in

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ROAD safety bosses have completed a survey which they said proved speed cameras were the most effective way of ensuring drivers stick to the limit.

The Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety tested three 30mph roads with a fixed camera, without and with an interactive sign that shows passing motorists’ speed.

Samples of speed taken during the lunchtime period showed that the number of drivers travelling at 35mph or above rose from 0.8 per cent with a camera present to 7.4 per cent when the camera was removed.

This then reduced to 5.6 per cent when the driver feedback sign was in use.

The three test sites were the A680 Whalley Road, Great Harwood, the B6243 Preston Road, Grimsargh, and in Preston, the B5411 Tag Lane, Preston.

At a fourth experiment was conducted on the A675 Bolton Road at the entrance to Abbey Village where there had never been a speed camera.

An interactive sign was installed and the results showed the percentage of drivers travelling at 35 mph fell from 33 per cent to 11 per cent after it was installed.

Steve Whitehouse, the project manager for the partnership said: “Saving lives on our roads is what we are about and if an interactive sign was as good as, or better, at keeping drivers below the speed limit then that is what we would use across the county.

“However, this trial has shown us that this particular sign is not as effective as a fixed camera with its associated penalties for those that break the law.

“Speeding puts all road users at risk of injury and death.

“There was just one recorded speed related injury collision during the trial period which is the good news, but local residents at all three former fixed camera sites have asked for their camera to be re-installed amongst fears of increased speeds leading to ‘an accident waiting to happen.

“The residents of Abbey Village have also asked for their Driver Feedback Sign to remain in situ.”