speeding towards accountability
It is difficult to think of many things that
have 'enjoyed' such a consistently poor reputation amongst
Britain's drivers as speed cameras since their introduction. They
appear to be universally maligned by drivers, frustrated at what
they see as being devices to raise revenue rather than save lives
and reduce the number of casualties on our roads due to speeding.
There can be little doubt however that speed
cameras are capable of playing a significant part in reducing the
number of accidents and casualties on Britain's roads. All of the
motoring public would surely support any measure designed to
improve road safety?
The problem is that there is a gap between the
perception of what speed cameras are for (and what they actually
do) and the reality of the situation. The only way that this gap
will be bridged is if local authorities publish data that shows how
accidents and casualties have been reduced in areas where speed
cameras are in operation.
The Government has published proposals that
would require local authorities to do exactly that. From April
2011, local authorities will be required to publish information
showing how the number of accidents and casualties has been
affected by the presence of speed cameras and how many motorists
have been prosecuted for alleged offending at individual
enforcement sites. We understand that a working group involving the
police, Local Authority Officers, The Department for Transport and
Highways Agency will progress the implementation details during the
next three months ready for the commencement of the programme in
April. The Motoring Offences team at Blake Lapthorn feels that
these new proposals are exactly what are required to solve the
problem.
On one level, the legal process, which
requires individuals to comply with strict rules when using the
roads, must command the respect of those required to act in
accordance with those rules. If the argument for speed cameras as a
method of law enforcement is that they save lives then motorists
must be told why a speed camera is where it is and how successful
it has actually been in achieving its stated purpose if they are to
have confidence in the 'system' and if trust is to be maintained.
The cameras are supposed to be 'safety' cameras after all.
It must also be the case, as a matter of
simple fairness that the motoring public is entitled to see how its
money (taxpayers' money) is being spent by those charged with
making our roads safer. If they have no impact in a particular area
then why are they there? If they have been properly located then
this will not be an issue that need concern local authorities.
We cannot see that speed cameras will ever be
the complete solution. Improved driver training, better signage and
junction improvements all have their part to play. However, so do
speed cameras. The Government has now given the local authorities
of this country a golden opportunity to gain the trust and
confidence of the motoring public when it comes to speed cameras
and even possibly win the arguments about their role once and for
all. The gap between perception and reality could yet be bridged.
It is to be hoped that local authorities take full
advantage.
View further information on speeding
offences.
