15 June 2004
Speed cameras save lives, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said today. He was commenting on figures that show more than 100 lives have been saved in areas where cameras are used.
The independent report on the safety camera scheme shows that:
- There was a reduction of two fifths in the number of people killed or seriously injured;
- There were 100 fewer deaths per year; and
- The number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured fell by just over one third.
The figures show that the number of vehicles speeding at new camera sites dropped by 71 per cent. The report also found that 79 per cent of people who were asked support the use of cameras to cut casualties and that they save society some £221m every year by reducing accident rates.
Mr Darling said:
"These figures prove that cameras save lives."
"The number of people speeding has come down and there has been a significant reduction in deaths and injuries at camera sites.
Mr Darling added:
"Up to ten people are killed on our roads each day. We owe it to them and their families to do everything we can to improve road safety even further."
He also said that while most camera sites have achieved good results the government will be asking the partnerships where results were not as good to see what more could be done to achieve the greatest casualty reductions.
The release of the casualty data coincides with the publication of details of every site where a camera may be used. This includes information on why they were approved and how they have affected accident rates.
"The vast majority have delivered real benefits in safety and prove that the cameras are justified and they’re effective," said Mr Darling.
delicious
digg
facebook
