Do speed cameras save many lives?
Speed cameras are always a controversial topic among motorists. Now a scientist has joined the debate by suggesting government figures on how many lives are saved by speed cameras are exaggerated.
Dr Linda Mountain from the University of Liverpool said accidents fell by 19%, while the government’s data showed there were 50% fewer accidents.
Do you think the benefits of speed cameras are exaggerated?
Dr Mountain arrived at her lower figure by taking into account what she called the “degree of randomness” in where accidents take place. Although speed cameras are often targetted at accident blackspots, accidents elsewhere tend to happen because of “driver error, bad luck” and other causes.
After re-examining the data Dr Mountain said:
I think it’s not reasonable to say 100 lives per year are being saved. I would have thought a smaller figure would be the correct one. The number has been overestimated by 50% on the basis of our data.
Nevertheless, that’s a worthwhile saving.
The government’s study examined all of the 4,100 speed camera sites in the UK and claimed 100 lives per year were being saved. Dr Mountain’s looked at a sample of 215.
In July Swindon Borough Council challenged the government over its speed cameras policy and is considering withdrawaing the £400,000 it spends on the local safety cameras partnership.
Last year it was claimed less than half of people who were photographed by traffic cameras received prosecutions. This was because much of the DVLA’s data is out-of-date and the number of vehicles on British roads that were registered abroad has increased. Other non-prosecutions were due to technical faults or because the offences were committed by emergency vehicles.
Do you think the government’s strategy of using speed cameras to cut the number of accidents is working?
Read more about speed cameras
- Speeding drivers escape fines
- Young drivers speed on motorways
- Interview: Top road cop Meredydd Hughes
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I agree with Richard, in that even one life saved by speed cameras, speed cameras are worth it. No one wants to be caught speeding. Some people speed because of the rush is gives them. Some do it because they’re in a hurry. Some do it simply because they are distracted and not paying any attention to their speed whatsoever. What’s important to realize is that it’s dangerous, no matter what, and people CAN and DO die from speed-related accidents every year. Slow down, pay attention on the roads (to your driving and that of others), and it will be safer out there for everyone.
Ricart Auto
This is a very touchy subject for various reasons.
Obviously motorists never like being caught speeding, including myself. They state that they are being victimised and not concentrating on catching the real criminal’s.
However, if any of those people witnessed a loved one being seriously injured or killed by a speeding vehicle i can guarantee you their outlook would be different.
I dont think that all the located camera spots are in high risk areas. However, wouldnt it be gutting if they removed a camera that locals didnt think was feasable and some one was unfortunately killed.
Im not saying speed is the whole cause in accidents, it is a main contributory factor. In my view the manner of driving is just as important, and i think this should be more emphasised during the early years of driving.
Because, all drivers have now got into their own style of driving over the years with good and bad habits, its going to be difficult to break the continuation.
Going back to cameras, if all those sited cameras would prevent just one death per year then i am in total support for them, because you never know it may be your loved one.
Okay, what Dr Mountain says is true, it is possible that the increase in deaths at a site was due to random variation, but it is also possible that the increase is symptomatic of an upward trend and Deaths may have kept on increasing without the camera… Unfortunately there is no way of knowing either way!
Therefore 100 lives a year saved may be a significant overestimate, or may be an underestimate. However many it is, it’s still worthwhile!