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Casualties Down on Camera Routes on the Island.
Fixed speed cameras have now been operating on
the Isle of Wight for a year, and figures released by the Safety Camera
Partnership (SCP) today show that casualties have reduced dramatically where
cameras have been erected. At the fixed sites in the first year of their
operation collisions in which people were killed or seriously injured fell by
43% and collisions in which there were personal injuries decreased by 8.4%.
The casualty improvement rate for the nine mobile camera routes is equally
positive – the figures indicate a 39.3% reduction injury accidents and a
11.2% reduction in collisions in which people were killed or seriously
injured. SCP Project Manager Dr Marion Sinclair noted: “Although results for
three years will give a more accurate indication of progress in reducing
casualties the figures so far are extremely promising. Apart from a cost
saving to the emergency services and NHS these reductions represents a true
saving in terms of human suffering. That is very good news”.
The news comes as three
new fixed camera sites are being installed on the Island. Julian Hewitt,
spokesperson for the Safety Camera Partnership said: “We work in close
collaboration with the Highways Department of the Council and with the local
police to make certain the cameras are only placed where there is real potential
to reduce casualties. All our sites conform to the Department for Transport
guidelines - they have documented casualty histories and high numbers of
drivers exceeding the speed limit. Data on which we make our decisions will
shortly be published on our web site www.safetycamera.org.uk We are keen to
be as transparent as possible and politicians and the media have an open
invitation to visit our offices and to see what we do and have any concerns
answered.”
Mr Hewitt said: “There is
still some work to be done before the three new fixed cameras are
commissioned. After the covers come off we will give the road users some time
to get used to them being there before we begin enforcement. The signs and
the cameras should alert people to the fact that the road has had a high
number of casualties and that they should drive well within the speed limit
to protect themselves and others. We want to slow drivers down to reduce
casualties – not to catch them speeding.”
Posted: Tuesday, May 25 2004
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