16 June 2004 - The National Safety Camera Programme - June Evaluation Report
The Department for Transport has published a new updated report that analysed the effectiveness of a system piloted in 2000 to recover the costs of operating speed and red-light cameras (safety cameras) from fines resulting from enforcement.
The three year report highlights the following effects of the scheme at camera sites:
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40% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI)
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870 fewer KSIs per year, including over 100 fewer deaths
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33% fall in injury accidents with 4030 fewer per year
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35% reduction in pedestrians killed or seriously injured
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Vehicle speeds were down - 7% reduction in speeds at speed camera sites
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32% reduction at new sites
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71% reduction at fixed sites
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21% reduction at mobile sites
The public supported the use of safety cameras for targeted enforcement. This was evidenced by public attitude surveys, both locally and at a national level.
Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety commented:
“The latest figures show beyond all doubt that cameras reduce the number of drivers speeding, and by doing so significantly reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. Cameras save lives - hundreds of people are alive today because of safety cameras.
Cameras are particularly effective in protecting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians. The figures show the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured at camera sites fell by over one third. But it is important to remember that cameras are just one of the weapons in the fight against death and injury on our roads. Cameras should be used to supplement the work of traffic police not as a substitute for them.”
The National Safety Camera Programme: Three-year Evaluation Report can be found on the Department for Transport web site here.
