Speed cameras to be installed
Speed cameras may be installed on roads throughout Worcestershire, in an attempt to reduce road accident claims.
The new pilot scheme is going ahead, and for the next six months a mobile speed camera will be operating on the A443 Worcester Road through Great Witley, in response to concerns from residents about speeding in the village.
There will be another seven roads to get the same treatment, including Hollywood Lane in Wythall, which will be getting cameras within the next six months.
If the current scheme is successful, then more cameras could be put up on roads where there is concern from the community and figures show that there is a speeding problem, rather than a specific accident problem.
The ruling makes a mockery of the relaxing rules on speed cameras introduced by the Government more than two years ago.
Under old rules the groups liable for speed cameras could only place them on sites meeting strict criteria, including having a minimum number of people seriously injured or killed in car accidents, in order to claim fine money back from the Government to meet running costs.
But in April 2007 the Government decided not to directly fund safety camera partnerships, but instead give money to county councils through a road safety grant in an attempt to persuade drivers they were not being used as a money mule.
As a result of the reform, firms such as the Safer Roads Partnership no longer have to abide by the rules which state cameras must be visible, there must be appropriate signs or that they can only be placed at accident blackspots.
Cameras friend or foe?
As always, the introduction of the speed cameras has formed a heavy debate as to whether they will be beneficial to the area.
An AA spokesman suggested not, by commenting that the cameras will not increase motorist’s confidence that they are being used as a cash cow and are for road safety.
“We have always said that, as an organisation, we would be much happier if these cameras were kept for places with a proven record of accidents. The whole point of speed cameras is to make the roads safer,” they stated.
However, the new road decoration has been welcomed by Kathy Jenkins, from the Safer Roads Partnership.
She said that statistics revealed two thirds of drivers using Worcester Road in the village, broke the 30mph speed limit, with 15% of drivers exceeding it by 10mph, proving there is a need for cameras:
“If the pilot is successful then we will be looking to roll it out to a lot more sites. The major reason behind the new scheme is community safety and we have listened to the concerns of people when doing this,” she said.
She added: “The site in Great Witley may not have had a significant history of crashes or accidents, but we do have speed data that shows people driving too fast down there.”
Only time will tell if drivers feelings will speed up for the cameras, or if they will brake sharply.
Updated on 9/10/2009