Government denies speed camera ban
The government denied today that it was blocking the introduction of new speed cameras – saying their installation had simply been “delayed”.
An article in today’s Times newspaper stated the government had decided to block nearly 500 new speed cameras “amid signs that ministers are beginning to doubt the effectiveness of the devices”.
But a spokesman for the Department of Transport said the installation of speed cameras had simply been “delayed” as the government undertook a “period evaluation of the siting of the cameras.
“For the last four years we have evaluated the siting of the cameras as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure we are achieving maximum effectiveness,” he said.
“Until the independent evaluation has taken place, it wouldn’t make any sense to allow any more cameras to be placed,” he added.
The process would be completed shortly but the Department of Transport did not want to “rush the team of academics carrying out the assessment”.
There would be no new speed cameras on Britain’s road until the independent evaluation had been carried out by a team from University College London. The process will be overseen by the road safety minister, Stephen Ladyman.
The suggestion that cameras could be blocked led to mixed reactions
Road safety group Brake said fewer cameras could mean more accidents. But anti-camera campaign organisation Safe Speed said less cameras could actually mean fewer accidents.
Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed said speed cameras were never the solution to the problem of road accidents.
“Although almost all drivers exceed the speed limit in good conditions, very, very few crashes have been caused or contributed to by otherwise responsible motorists exceeding a speed limit,” Mr Smith said.
