http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sout ... 153102.stm
Hundreds speed through roadworks
More than 1,000 motorists have been caught speeding through roadworks on the M1 in just four days.
A 50mph limit is being enforced on a 2.5mile (4.1km) stretch between junctions 32 and 33 near Rotherham while the safety works are carried out.
Speed cameras captured at least one driver travelling at 94mph in the zone.
The South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership said it was unbelievable that so many drivers were ignoring the limit and jeopardising workers' safety.
"We've imposed a 50mph speed limit for a very good reason and can't believe that people would ignore it," said spokesman Paul Mason.
"We're going to have to process these offences because they've been captured but ideally we'd rather not have to. Slow down please."
Paul Smith, of the Safe Speed road safety campaign, said a 2004 report into motorway safety during roadworks, on behalf of the Highways Agency, had shown speed cameras increased the number of accidents.
Using police patrols was a far more effective way of ensuring people stayed below the speed limit, he added.
"The degree of irresponsibility here is extraordinary," he said. "They're clinging to the belief that speed cameras are an instant safety device.
"I'm amazed that they're still using fixed speed cameras on roadworks on motorways because their own research shows they don't work."
The fines will generate more than £60,000 for the Lord Chancellor's office, from which South Yorkshire Police can reclaim expenses for installing the cameras and processing the fines.
'Respect the limit'
But Ch Insp Ian Bint said the 50mph limit had been imposed for safety reasons and not as a money-making exercise.
"We are not interested in issuing fines, we are just trying to ensure safety at the site of major roadworks," he said.
The safety and maintenance works are expected to last until September.
They include resurfacing the carriageway with low noise material, upgrading the steel safety fencing and repairing drainage systems.
***
Safe Speed issued the following PR at 13:51 today:
PR333: Dangerous Policing in South Yorkshire
news: for immediate release
South Yorkshire Police have announced catching over 1,000 motorists speeding in
M1 roadworks. Apparently they are using fixed speed cameras, because they refer
to one of the cameras running out of film.
But the best research that exists on the subject (TRL595) warns that fixed
speed cameras in motorway roadworks INCREASE crashes by 55%.
Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(
www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "The degree of irresponsibility here is
extraordinary. Despite the fact that our best science warns that these cameras
massively increase danger, they persist, presumably running only on blind faith
and a massive misunderstanding of the evidence that is available."
"TRL595 was hidden away until I uncovered it using the freedom of information
act. No larger study of motorway road works safety has ever been carried out in
the UK. It is the best science. Motorists will not be surprised that these
confounded cameras increase dangers. They would rather be concentrating on the
road ahead instead of wholly artificial and distracting threats to their
driving licences."
"We need road safety based on best science and best practice, not blind faith
and twisted statistics."
"Speed camera policy has failed to improve road safety. Fixed speed cameras on
motorway roadworks are amongst the most dangerous."
"Get these dangerous cameras off our roads right now!"
<ends>
Notes for editors
=================
South Yorkshire Police PR:
http://southyorks.police.uk/news/details.php?id=2896
Safe Speed page on TRL595:
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/trl595.html
Previous PR on TRL595:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SafeSpeedPR/message/80
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