Brake has spoken out again recently to defend the use of life-saving speed cameras after a spate of media stories had questioned their effectiveness, using the Government’s release of some patchy data on crashes at camera sites.
A scan through the published data shows that the majority of sites have seen a drop in crashes.
This is as you would expect given existing evidence that cameras are highly beneficial to road safety.
Rigorous academic studies show that cameras significantly reduce the most serious crashes at camera sites – those that cause terrible suffering and pain through death and serious injury – and pay for themselves several times over by preventing these costly and devastating casualties.
The road safety minister recently said: “For the first time we are shining the light of transparency on the performance of speed cameras.
"People want to know that if their tax money is being spent on speed cameras that they are actually making their roads safer.”
Ironically, this was an unnecessary exercise at taxpayers’ expense, which has failed to shine a light on anything.
Speed cameras are already evidenced to prevent deaths and serious injuries in a cost-effective way.
So let’s stop pandering to the minority, who think it’s their right to drive at whatever speed they like, and work harder to persuade everyone of the vital importance of driving within the law to protect human life.
Brake is using Road Safety Week, November 21-27, as an opportunity to remind fleets of the necessity of safe driving.
Companies should get their drivers to make Brake’s Pledge2DriveSafely by staying: slow – within speed limits; sober – free from alcohol and drugs; sharp – not tired, ill or with poor sight; silent – phone off and out of reach; secure – belted up in a safe vehicle; and sustainable – drive only when you have to.
- Find out more about this campaign at www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk and join Brake’s service for fleets at www.fleetsafetyforum.org