Speed cameras cut Scots deaths 01 | 08 | 2012

SAFETY CAMERAS IN Scotland have helped reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads by more than two-thirds.

The details, released in a new report show that before fixed cameras were installed at 166 sites across Scotland, an average of 92 deaths or major injuries a year were recorded. Last year that figures had been reduced to 36.

Similar reductions in serious accidents were found at sites where mobile cameras were located, essentially to stop people driving through red lights.

The numb roof people injured, overall, fell from 1400 before the cameras were in place, to 684 afterwards.

In contrast though, the report found the percentage of vehicles going above the speed limit at 40mph, 50mph and 60mph sites is rising.

And a survey, which accompanied the Key Scottish Safety Camera Programme Statistics 2011 
report, shows some people remains critical of the cameras.

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According to the survey, 59% agree cameras are an easy way of making money out of motorists, and 52% of the people questioned believe there are too many road-safety cameras.

The latest figures come just a month after the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) completed a three-day anti-speeding campaign. The results "shocked" Acpos after it caught 1837 drivers breaking the limit – almost one every two minutes.

However, the Scottish Government insisted that, overall, the country’s roads are becoming safer.

"We welcome these statistics showing that the number of people killed or seriously injured at safety camera sites has dropped by 68% since their introduction," a spokesperson said.

“Despite the fact Scotland recently recorded the lowest road casualty figures since records began, one death on our roads is still one too many.”

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Jim McGill