Speed cameras succeed in reducing road accidents

Following the news that speed cameras across the UK helped collect £87.3 million in fixed penalty fines from speeding motorists in 2008, industry bodies have demonstrated that the cameras have also succeeded in reducing the number of road accidents, casualties and car insurance claims being made across the nation.

According to the TaxPayers' Alliance and the Drivers' Alliance, the number of road casualties in the UK fell from 334,513 in 1979 to 247,780 in 2007 - however, the organisations also pointed out that the drop has been more gradual since 1990 when speed cameras were introduced.

Matthew Sinclair, research director at the TaxPayers' Alliance, told WalesOnline that this does not mean speed cameras are not playing a vital role in reducing road accidents, however.

"Safety cameras have an important role to play in the road safety arena as we have seen since the early Eighties with the inception of seatbelt laws, improvements to road infrastructure, car design, airbags, drink-drive education etc," Mr Sinclair explained.

"The probable reason that casualty rates are falling at a slower rate is that we are now dealing with smaller numbers and it will be harder to achieve further reductions without all the resources available in the road safety toolbox and that includes safety cameras."

Last year saw the lowest number of fatalities recorded on UK roads, with 2,222 across the nation and just 126 in Wales. Mr Sinclair believes this demonstrates the greater caution drivers use due to the threat of receiving speeding fines.

"Cameras serve as a visual reminder to drivers that excessive speed is unacceptable - the important point is that casualty reduction continues to fall," he said.

By comparing car insurance, drivers can seek out the best cover to get them back on the road safely if involved in accidents with speeding motorists.

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:49:00 GMT