New speed camera technology snares 400 Staffordshire drivers

Hundreds of motorists have been caught speeding by mobile camera vans in the county after new technology to improve images snapped in the dark was rolled out. New 'low-light cameras' were installed after officials noted the number of serious and fatal smashes which had taken place during the hours of darkness. And since their rollout in November more than 400 motorists have been snapped.

It marks yet another investment in cameras aimed at capturing drivers breaking the speed limit in Staffordshire. In 2023 it was announced that GBP640,000 was being pumped into overhauling both fixed cameras[1] across North Staffordshire along with the technology in the vans. Chiefs said the digital devices would quicken the process of identifying offending drivers and provide clarity to enable other misdemeanours to be spotted.

An initial rollout saw 20 cameras upgraded including those on key routes through Sneyd Green[2], Trent Vale[3], Baddeley Green[4] and Hanley[5] in an effort to improve safety on the city's roads.

In their first year of operation figures previously revealed how 2,301 were caught by three cameras in the Potteries, with the busiest camera being the one on the A34 Newcastle Road in Trent Vale, where 1,616 vehicles were clocked speeding. Now more improvements have been made, this time to the mobile camera vans often spotted on busy routes around North Staffordshire. Traditionally officers have said they are deployed in areas where concerns have been raised over speeding.

The investment has been overseen, as was done with the fixed cameras, by the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP). Officials say it comes after statistics laid bare the issue of collisions during the hours of darkness. Across 2022 and 2023, for 'all road users' 46 per cent of fatal collisions and 30 per cent of serious smashes happened during the hours of darkness.

For pedestrians the figures were 56 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively. The upgraded cameras provide 'higher quality images and better low-light capability'.

Leaders say they are also more compact and lightweight than previous mobile cameras, allowing them to be used more efficiently. Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Dave Evans is co-Chair of the SSRP, alongside Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams.

Mr Evans, who is also a ward councillor on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We know that speeding is one of the main contributory factors in fatal collisions, and the lack of visibility during darker mornings and evenings adds to the risks posed to all road users, especially children travelling to and from school.

"By allowing us to tackle speeding even in low light conditions, these upgraded cameras are helping to make our roads safer for everyone to use, whatever the time of day."

Get all the latest news from court here[6]

References

1. ^ In 2023 it was announced that GBP640,000 was being pumped into overhauling both fixed cameras (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
2. ^ Sneyd Green (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
3. ^ Trent Vale (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
4. ^ Baddeley Green (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
5. ^ Hanley (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
6. ^ Get all the latest news from court here (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)