New high-tech speed cameras could be on way to Burton and South …
New state-of-the-art speed cameras that busted more than 3,200 motorists in two weeks during a trial could be coming to Burton and South Derbyshire.
Not needing any painted road lines to operate, the bi-directional devices can log any speed above the limit in both directions. During a pilot in Devon and Cornwall, hundreds were caught out in just a fortnight.
Now there have been reports the devices could well be rolled out nationally. There are numerous ‘hotspots’ across North Staffordshire where speed camera vans will regularly target in an effort to improve road safety.
In Devon and Cornwall the routes selected had all ‘had problems with collisions and speeding vehicles’. The devices were funded by Cornwall Council and the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership. In one location the camera caught a motorist doing 73mph in a 30mph zone.
READ: Controversial £250m scheme to cut congestion at A38 bottlenecks is back on[1]
Adrian Leisk is head of road safety for Devon and Cornwall Police and chair of the Vision Zero South West enforcement group. Mr Leisk says the devices uses infra-red technology to snare offending drivers.
He said: “Speed is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ contributory factors to serious and fatal collisions. Travelling too fast means you have less time and space to react and significantly increases your risk of serious or fatal injuries in the event of a crash. The higher the speed, generally the worse the severity of injury.
“Unlike older technology, they do not need painted lines on the road, or loops sunk into the road surface. They also use infra-red low light technology so will not ‘flash’ like the legacy systems.”
Road safety experts with Road Angel – which manufactures speed camera detectors, dash cams, and smart car stereos – say the new cameras could ‘become standard all over the UK’. Gary Digva, founder of Road Angel, said: “Introducing these multi-directional speed cameras is a positive step forward in helping to reduce the number of accidents caused by motorists excessively speeding each year.
“By capturing vehicles travelling in both directions, the new cameras will be able to penalise many more motorists than the old legacy systems are currently able to.
“Although there is still a long way to go to stop motorists from driving above the limit, and reduce the number of fatalities and injuries that speeding causes, we hope that the new speed cameras will make all Brits think twice before putting their foot down.
“Not only will you be slapped with a hefty fine of up to £1,000, points on your licence and the potential to be disqualified from driving, you’re also seriously putting your own and other road user’s lives in serious danger.”
This summer and Staffordshire Police has launched a dedicated crackdown to improve safety on the county’s roads. During one initiative, 76 drivers were caught breaking the speed limit on the A50 through Uttoxeter.
The force has said during the #SaferSummerRoads campaign officers – along with the speed camera van – will set up at various locations where there have been a history of serious collisions.
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References
- ^ Controversial £250m scheme to cut congestion at A38 bottlenecks is back on (www.staffordshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up for free email alerts to StaffordshireLive straight to your inbox here (data.reachplc.com)