A new Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that nearly half of the nation’s fixed speed cameras aren’t operational…
Speed Cameras for Show?
An FOI request, answered by 26 out of 44 police forces, has revealed that nearly half of the nation’s fixed speed cameras aren’t operational. Of 1,092 fixed cameras, a considerable 523 are completely inactive. Shockingly, Wiltshire Police admitted that they don’t have any functioning fixed or mobile speed cameras; instead relying entirely on handheld cameras. They’re not alone.
Northamptonshire, Durham and North Yorkshire don’t have a single, operating fixed speed camera. Some of the inactive cameras were switched off ten years ago, when funding began to be withdrawn. The findings are a part of a Panorama investigation; exploring why driving deaths in the country have effectively plateaued over recent years. The death rate actually increased by 5% back in 2020.
Not Enough
Edmund King, President of the AA, believes that speed cameras can be effective; but that they need to work alongside a healthy number of traffic officers. He explained, “speed cameras are effective in reducing speeding but are only one part of the armoury and do nothing to deter drink, drugged and other forms of dangerous driving”.
He added, “we need a concerted effort to reduce road deaths and often basic measures like more road markings or improved junctions can help. But ultimately, we need five-star drivers, in five-star cars, on five-star roads, with five-star enforcement and five-star political commitment to reduce road deaths”.
Regardless, as it stands, large sections of the nation’s road network are, effectively, unpoliced. It’s little wonder, then, that an increasing number of drivers feel confident enough to flout the rules of the Highway Code.
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