Revealed: Speeding offences caught by Ayrshire cameras | Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald
It follows a Freedom of Information request made by Ayrshire Weekly Press to Police Scotland with regards to camera activity in the county throughout 2023.
We asked for data on speeding offences captured at each camera location in the county – as listed on the Safety Camera Scotland website.[1] We also asked that top and bottom speeds which led to offences being committed were provided
Police Scotland provided details for speeding offences at mobile speed van locations and for the average speed cameras along the A77 between Symington and Girvan.
However, the force said it could “neither confirm nor deny” whether the same information existed for fixed camera locations, citing “public interest concerns”.
They stated that “the overwhelming public interest lies in preventing the commission of road traffic offences and keeping road users safe from harm”.
It was added that if the information did exist, it would be exempt from disclosure, as “it is common knowledge that not all fixed safety cameras will be operational at any given time”.
The force response added that providing data on a ‘per camera’ basis would allow members of the public to gauge which cameras are active – potentially encouraging drivers to commit offences.
Police Scotland confirmed that while information on the slowest speeds leading to offences does exist, it would not be disclosed for the same public interest reasons.
They stated that “disclosing the enforcement threshold above the speed limit at which offences will be triggered” could also encourage poor driver behaviour.
As a result, no data was provided for the following locations:
- A737 Kilwinning Road, Irvine, near James Crescent
- A738 Stevenston Road, Kilwinning, near Segton Avenue
- B7049 Dalry Road, Beith, near Grahamfield Place
- A719 Main Road, Ayr, near Glenmuir Place
- A71 Loudoun Road, Newmilns, near Gilfoot
- A737 Irvine Road, Kilwinning, near Smith Crescent
However, details were provided for the various mobile speed van locations across Ayrshire.
Two of these locations are on the B714 Dalry Road in Saltcoats, near Kenilworth Road and near Lochranza Place – and no offences were committed at either.
There are three speed van locations listed on the A78 through Fairlie, and again no offences were captured at two of these locations – both on Main Road – near Kelburn Avenue and near School Brae.
However, two offenders were caught by the van at the Irvine Road location near Montgomerie Avenue.
A top speed of 50mph was clocked by one of the offenders in this 30mph zone.
Neither of these offences led to a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty Notice (COFPN) – which is Police Scotland’s alternative to prosecution for such offences.
Of the data provided, the overwhelming majority offences were captured by the average speed cameras located on the A77 in South Ayrshire.
In 2023, a total of 1,421 speed offences were clocked on the road. The top noted by the cameras was 109mph – though it was not made clear what section of the road this was on.
The speed limit on the A77 varies from 30-70mph across the route. Of the noted offences 1,027 led to COFPNs being issued.
Inspector Craig Beaver of Road Policing West Command said: “Mobile speed cameras and average speed cameras are vital in supporting road safety.
“The visual presence and routine deployments at key sites provide reassurance to motorists that road safety is a key priority for Police Scotland and partners.
“Travelling at inappropriate speeds is proven to be a significant factor in fatal and serious injury collisions.
“We ask all motorists to respect speed limits, which in turn will improve the safety of everyone on Ayrshire’s roads.”
The data comes little over a month after device managers Safety Cameras Scotland announced that a number of traffic cameras in Ayrshire would become “dormant” due to improved driver behaviour.
Live deployment at various sites was paused after no speed or red-light related injury collisions were recorded over a five year period.
This does not mean the complete removal of such cameras yet, with the infrastructure and signage to remain in place for the time being with a bag displayed over any fixed camera to indicate its non-operational status during this period of “dormancy”.
The pause will allow for a thorough assessment over a three-year period, after which decisions will be made regarding potential decommissioning or reactivation.
The impacted roads in Ayrshire included:
- A70 Cumnock to Ayr, west of Killoch Colliery
- A71 Bellfield Interchange to Warrix Interchange, east of Moorfield Roundabout
- A71 Warrix Interchange to Bellfield Interchange, west of Moorfield Roundabout
- A737 Irvine Road, Kilwinning, near Smith Crescent
- A719 Whitletts Road, Ayr, at Walker Road
- A79 Prestwick Road, Ayr, near Woodfield Road
- A737 New Street, Dalry, near Kilwinning Road
References
- ^ the Safety Camera Scotland website. (www.safetycameras.gov.scot)