From here
http://www.safetycameraswestyorkshire.co.uk/pressr.asp
**Dear Robert,
It’s not a question of “attitude”, it’s a question of trying to find the most effective measure for reducing the most number of deaths and injuries on local roads.
Back in the late 90s, as the precursor for the launch of the first 8 pilot camera schemes, a great deal of research was done by Transport Research Laboratories (TRL), academic institutions and independent consultants. Their conclusions were that speed-related factors were the principal contributory factor in about a third of all crashes – the single biggest cause of crashes. Subsequent research programmes supported this finding, the most recent national programme having been conducted just a year ago by University College London.
Further local and specific research must be carried out by the partnership in support of every application for installation of cameras. Cameras can only be installed at locations where it can be demonstrated that crashes and casualties have been/are being caused by drivers travelling at excess or inappropriate speeds. Further, it must be shown that other measures such as engineering have been employed but have failed significantly to reduce the numbers and severity of crashes and casualties.
After cameras are installed, locations continue to be monitored to ensure they are having positive impact on vehicle speeds and casualty numbers and severity of injuries.
All our evidence and experience points to a simple formula:
Higher speeds = more serious crashes = high number of casualties = more severe injuries death
Cameras = drivers discouraged from higher speeds
Lower speeds = fewer crashes = less serious crashes = fewer (and less serious) injuries
for anyone in west yorkshire you might want to ask:
Which TRL report concluded that 1/3rd of accidents are speed related?
where is the proof that lower speeds = few crashes.
Particularly given that there are 743 camera locations where accidents INCREASED following the introduction of cameras.
See
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... 29198.hcsp