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 Post subject: Daily Express - Press
PostPosted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 14:56 
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For tomorrow's coverage of Swindon's vote.

also the PR sent on this should reach out to many more too ...

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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 03:12 
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Daily Express

Quote:
MORE COUNCILS POISED TO SCRAP SPEED CAMERAS
Friday October 24,2008
By Penny Stretton Have your say(0)

Speed cameras could soon be removed from Britain’s roads after a council became the first to ban them.

Dozens of local authorities are expected to follow the lead of Swindon to abolish fixed speed cameras.

Swindon council voted for the ban after branding the fines issued by the devices, also known as Gatsos, a “blatant tax on motorists”.

The move was triggered by highways councillor Peter Greenhalgh who objected to central Government receiving cash from fines while the council had to pay £320,000 a year for the cameras’ upkeep.

The AA’s Andrew Howard said: “Over the next few months we could see other councils taking this decision – as many as eight or 10 to begin with.”

Local authorities including Portsmouth, Somerset and Walsall are said to be looking into the benefits of scrapping the cameras which last year netted £104million in fines.

Campaign group Safe Speed spokeswoman Clare Armstrong said: “We really hope this is the kick-start Britain needs to start removing all its speed cameras. There will be plenty of councils spurred on by this decision.

“We’re delighted at Swindon’s decision. We hope it will improve driving standards no end.

“The results might take a while to show but drivers need to get back to being proud of their responsible driving instead of being blighted by cameras. It’s education we need on our roads.”

Councillor Greenhalgh said fixed speed cameras did not help to save lives but added. “I have never said speed cameras don’t work. They are effective in stopping people speeding in a particular spot but they are not effective in stopping people being killed or seriously injured on our roads.”

Association of British Drivers spokesman Brian Gregory said: “No more than six per cent of accidents in this country are caused by speeding drivers. This is a laudable decision by Swin-don. The money should be spent on educating road users better.

“Most accidents are caused because drivers are unable to concentrate on the road because they are looking for cameras.

“We want this to be a nationwide initiative so that money can be ploughed into the correct resources for drivers and motorists can stop being fined.”

But road safety charity Brake is not convinced banning fixed speed cameras will help.

Spokeswoman Jane Whitham said: “Swindon Borough Council is entering into a very dangerous experiment with people’s lives.

“Staying well within speed limits is essential for everyone’s safety and speed cameras are an important tool in catching drivers who insist on breaking the law.”

The Department for Transport said: “We give local authorities a road safety grant and they decide how to spend it. There may well be other councils who decide to look at their camera partnerships.”

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