Speeding increases as cameras are turned off

The number of drivers speeding past Oxfordshire’s deactivated safety cameras has increased by up to 88%, according to a BBC News report.

The Thames Valley Safer Road Partnership monitored drivers on two roads in the county for five days after the cameras were switched off at the end of July as a result of budget cuts.                                                                                                              

Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said the test had only been completed at two sites out of 72.

He said: "You need a much longer look at the statistics before we can decide whether there is an increase in danger or not.

"Unless the funding from government comes back, I think there is little chance of us being able to fund this, relative to the other priorities we have."

Inspector Paul Winks, from Thames Valley Police, said: "It clearly means switching off the camera has given a green light to a small number of people to break the law. The consequence is more death and more death is unacceptable."

James Gibson, press & PR spokesperson for Road Safety GB, said: "It is a fact that funding cuts are forcing tough decisions to be made.

"But government and authorities alike need to make informed and well considered decisions by looking at what works and what is the most cost effective casualty reduction measure for a particular issue or area.

"Of course none of this is easy and some things are subjective, but attention should be focused on data lead measures.

"Monitoring speeds at deactivated camera sites is necessary as part of an evidenced based approach."

Ellen Booth, campaign officer for Brake, added: "This is people’s lives we are talking about.

"What we would like to see is councils looking at the issue of speed cameras, not only at how effective they are in reducing death and serious injuries, but also how cost effective they are."

Click here to read the full BBC News report.