The speed camera programme has been thrown into disarray after the Government admitted its casualty calculations could be flawed.
The Department for Transport (DfT) justifies the use of more than 6,000 cameras across the country on the grounds that they cut road deaths and serious injuries.
But now these figures have been called into question and critics say this could undermine the entire programme, which brings in more than £100 million in fines every year...
According to the police, the number of serious injuries between 1996 and 2004 fell from 79.7 per 100,000 to 54. The corresponding figures from hospitals showed a rise from 88.8 to 90.1...
While the number of people killed on the roads has fallen dramatically since the advent of speed cameras, the number seriously injured has been a matter of debate. (The Telegraph)
What this shows is that whilst speed cameras do have a purpose and a benefit, it isn't as much of one as the government claim. Yes, you can say that "injury is better than death" etc. and that "you only get caught if you're breaking the speed limit" but the extent to which speed cameras are used - and the amount which they generate in revenue - is excessive, and has led to the accusation that they are greed - rather than speed - cameras.The Department for Transport (DfT) justifies the use of more than 6,000 cameras across the country on the grounds that they cut road deaths and serious injuries.
But now these figures have been called into question and critics say this could undermine the entire programme, which brings in more than £100 million in fines every year...
According to the police, the number of serious injuries between 1996 and 2004 fell from 79.7 per 100,000 to 54. The corresponding figures from hospitals showed a rise from 88.8 to 90.1...
While the number of people killed on the roads has fallen dramatically since the advent of speed cameras, the number seriously injured has been a matter of debate. (The Telegraph)
This undermining of the justification for the excessive use of speed cameras just strengthens that argument.
Speed cameras certainly shouldn't be got rid of, but more thought and optimisation needs to be put into where they are positioned.
Source: The Telegraph
