Speed cameras key to making Scottish roads safer
Speed cameras have contributed towards making Scottish roads considerably safer, according to new stats released this week.
After fixed speed cameras were introduced at certain spots, the number of people killed or seriously injured dropped by 63% between 2008 and 2010 in comparison to the three years before.
The figures released by Scotland’s Chief Statistician shown a decrease from around 341 casualties a year to 127.
Kathleen Braidwood, road safety officer at RoSPA Scotland, said motorists in Scotland had a duty to stay within the speed limit.
She commented: “With an average of ten fewer accidents involving injuries every week at safety camera sites, it is clear that cameras are helping to reduce the misery caused by crashes across Scotland.
“The use of cameras is part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent speed-related accidents across Scotland, involving many partners and a variety of approaches.”
Achievement
From the 4,010 Scots also surveyed, 81.5% of them agreed with the use of speed and red-light camera while 68.5% believed that the cameras helped prevent accidents and dangerous driving.
These findings come a month after it emerged that the number of casualties from road accidents more than halved in the last decade, exceeding the Scottish Government’s target to achieve a 40% reduction [link].
In response, the RoSPA has issued a tips list for well-meaning drivers who experience trouble sticking to the speed limit. Click here to follow the link.
Scotland’s achievement comes in the same week where speed cameras in Preston have been blamed for actually causing more accidents [full story].
Brian Gregory, Chairman of the ABD, said it was scandalous that nothing had been done to address the matter.
“The Government should get a grip and insist that those responsible for such malpractice in all regions are removed from public service with immediate effect,” he added.
Tim Ashton, Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, countered Mr Gregory’s stance insisting that speed cameras do work and have helped reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured by more than 40% in five years.
Potholes’ fault
Something which most certainly hasn’t contributed towards making roads safer is potholes, which have been accused of causing accidents.
In a poll of 2,600 by the IAM, 16% claim they have witnessed or been involved in an accident caused by hitting a pothole. 88% of respondents from England, Wales and Scotland called for their local authority to make potholes their main priority in regards to maintenance.
With an average of 53% branding their local council’s road upkeep as ‘bad’, Neil Greig, IAM’s Director of Policy and Research, said: “The public is unhappy with the state of their roads, although many realise that spending cuts are the real problem.
“Eighty per cent of those polled thought that local councils should work more closely together to increase efficiency, and with no loosening of the public purse strings in sight it will take partnerships to ensure the backlog in road maintenance does not continue to stack up.”
One frustrated motorist from Surrey added: “Those on two wheels are in constant danger of being thrown off whether it be a motorbike or cycle.
“We are fed up of hearing about cuts as the motorist is charged more at the pumps and through road tax. Where does the money go?”
Leaflet
While we’re on the subject of safety, GEM Motoring Assist has issued a free advice leaflet focussing on personal safety on the road.
Aimed in part towards lone female drivers, the leaflet offers tips on handling with difficult situations from travelling with children to what to do in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
David Williams, CEO of GEM Motoring Assist, said: “Whilst we are strongly targeting women with this leaflet who can often be more vulnerable in certain instances, it is equally useful to men.
“We all need to think about our safety on the roads and realise there are precautions we can take in order not to put ourselves at any unnecessary risk. We hope that it is a step in the right direction in making UK drivers safer on the roads.”
You can download the leaflet for free from motoringassist.com/leaflets or for a hard copy, call GEM on 0845 964 5505.
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