New two-way speed camera installed in Plymouth
A new bi-directional speed camera has been installed on a stretch of road leading to Plympton which will catch speeding drivers whether they’re travelling to or from the town.
Plymouth City Council’s councillor Terri Beer, who represents Plympton Erle ward, alerted her followers on Facebook. She highlighted the arrival of the new digital camera – which replaces the older style cameras – with an image and warning.
She wrote: “This camera monitors both sides of the road. It will check your speed on approach. It’s not an average speed camera so beware and approach at the right speed both sides.”
The cameras are erected on bright yellow posts for maximum visibility and have the ability to enforce speed in both directions simultaneously.
A number of these types of camera have been installed across Devon and Cornwall, thanks to funding from local councils and the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.
Following previous instalments Adrian Leisk, Head of Road Safety for Devon & Cornwall Police[1] and chair of the Vision Zero South West enforcement group, 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.
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“The higher the speed, generally the worse the severity of injury. We are taking this opportunity to point out the location of the camera systems and to explain that they will record excess speeds in both directions.
“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.
“The aim is very clearly to encourage drivers to change behaviour and slow down. It’s that simple. Success for us is detecting the least number of offences at these sites.
“Where we have installed these systems recently, the overwhelming majority of drivers detected are local people so please spread the message to your friends and family.”
A spokesperson for Vision Zero told PlymouthLive: “The camera is a Jenoptik Vector SR and is of the same type used elsewhere in Plymouth, ie. Mannamead Road, Alma Road.
“It replaces the current camera, a Cubic GS11 and will operate to the same thresholds. The only real difference is it is newer technology and will record in both directions.
“It forms part of Vision Zero South Wests ambitions to reduce fatal collisions in Devon and Cornwall to zero by 2024 and is part of a wider upgrade and replacement programme across Devon and Cornwall.
“We are aware speed enforcement draws criticism from some drivers however it is a fact that speed is major contributory factor in fatal and serious road traffic collisions. Driving or riding too fast gives you less time to react and greatly increases the severity of injuries when a collision occurs.
“Speed limits are set for everyone’s safety, and we must all be mindful that they are the absolute maximum at which you should travel. Every time you drive in excess of the speed limit or the prevailing road conditions, you increase your risk of being involved in a collision. The greater the speed the greater the force which then increases the risk of someone being killed or seriously injured.
“Our message to all road users would be for everyone to take personal responsibility for road safety. Simply put if everyone stopped speeding then more people would live.”
References
- ^ Devon & Cornwall Police (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)
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