Are those cameras having an effect?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Thu 25 Sep 2008 13:15
Are those cameras having an effect? - CGNorwich
Latest road death statistics bring some good news

Road deaths have fallen to their lowest level since records began in 1928, according to figures published by the Department for Transport.

Last year a total of 2,946 people died - a 7% reduction on the previous year when 3,172 died.

It does look as though all those cameras are having an effect on the way people drive and the resulting accident rate.

Edited by CGNorwich on 25/09/2008 at 13:16

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 13:41
Are those cameras having an effect? - SuperBuyer
But has the total number of accidents reduced?

Or is it just that modern cars mean you are less likley to die in an accident, both as a driver/passenger and as a pedestrian?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 13:42
Are those cameras having an effect? - cheddar
There was an article in the DT a year or so ago suggesting that accident rates would have fallen faster without such widespread use of speed cameras.

Cant find the link though it clearly showed that accident rates had been falling year on year for decades though the rate of fall slowed inline with speed cameras becoming widespread.

To be clear, I think cameras have there uses, i.e. outside schools.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 13:43
Are those cameras having an effect? - jbif
a 7% reduction on the previous year
It does look as though all those cameras are having an effect


Cause and effect not proven.

Just consider some other factors, just a few listed below:

1. Safer car designs [5* NCAP becoming common]
2. Unsafe cars [and drivers] being removed from the roads due to use of ANPR and MID databases.
3. Speed humps
4. 20 mph limits near schools
5. Congestion leading to crawling traffic.
6. Latest medical advances saving more lives.
7. Tougher driving tests.
etc. etc.

And remember that this is despite the perception that the country is flooded with dangerous foreign drivers [EU truck drivers, and according to "motorprop" dangerous ethnic drivers in North London www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=67...3 ].

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 13:52
Are those cameras having an effect? - martint123
I can't find the reference at the moment, but North Yorkshire KSI figures are well down and much better than the national average.

And they have no cameras but rely on their traffic cops.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 13:56
Are those cameras having an effect? - ijws15
no - everyone has a camera database or roadangel or similar.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 14:22
Are those cameras having an effect? - Armitage Shanks {p}
This isn't going to affect the stats for a while but there are actually fewer people out and about and many of those who are out are driving more slowly
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 15:11
Are those cameras having an effect? - CGNorwich
Cause and effect not proven

Agree but it surely has to be considered as a factor in explaiing the downwards trend. There certainly seems to be less flagrant speeding than a few years back and my personal view is that cameras do affect the way people drive - they have certainly affected the way I drive.

Edited by CGNorwich on 25/09/2008 at 15:14

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 14:22
Are those cameras having an effect? - gmac
Or, could it be the cost of fuel is causing people to slow down ?

I read a report elsewhere whereby the AA are attending an increasing number of cars which have run out of fuel.
Quote was £40 of fuel this year gives you approx. 67% the distance the same amount of fuel covered last year.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 25 Sep 2008 14:32
Are those cameras having an effect? - FotheringtonThomas
It does look as though all those cameras are having an effect on the way
people drive and the resulting accident rate.


Is there a european directive thing that means accident rates need to fall by some percentage or other by 2012 (or similar year)?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link