Jonathan Fry: Camera Re-structure Only Scratches the Surface, Says Drivers' Group

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Camera Re-structure Only Scratches the Surface, Says Drivers' Group

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The restructure of the speed camera regime still leaves core issues of road safety unaddressed, said the Association of British Drivers today.

The new proposals will:

leave unaccountable and secretive camera partnerships intact
allow the continued use of cameras
divert some camera funds for more road markings and signs
retain the focus on speed limits, not appropriate speed for the conditions

The ABD is concerned that the DfT is continuing to focus on speed limit adherence and mechanistic ways of controlling drivers' behaviour. Mark McArthur-Christie, the ABD's Road Safety Spokesman said "We're pleased that the government has finally admitted that cameras are about cash, not saving casualties - but cameras will still be used, and still be funded from fines.

They address only one, small aspect of road safety yet they have become the centre of the UK's casualty reduction policy without a shred of honest evidence that they save lives. They need to be ripped out and attention focused on instilling the skills that make drivers safe."

The ABD is also greatly concerned about the distraction effect of cameras on drivers and motorcyclists - a factor which has never been researched.

McArthur-Christie said, "We don't know the distraction effect cameras have, and it's vital that this is quantified. When a driver approaches a camera he looks everywhere but at the road ahead - this diversion effect is extremely dangerous."

The ABD believes that the complexity of the driving process needs to be recognised by government, and incentives put in place for drivers to continue retraining and acquiring new skills throughout their driving lives.

Brian Gregory, the ABD's Chairman, concludes "The government says it takes road safety seriously, but it's taken them nearly fourteen years to recognise that speed cameras are a simplistic, dangerous, distracting white elephant. They say driver training and education is too expensive and might be a vote loser - but so is 3,400 people dying on the roads each year. It's time we thought seriously about real road safety."

For more information about the ABD visit their Website at http://www.abd.org.uk

The Association of British Drivers is run on a voluntary basis to lobby for the beleaguered British motorist:
"Reclaiming the roads for the people who pay for them"
"Demanding proper roads (and railways) in exchange for paying one seventh of all taxes"
"Debunking the nonsense you hear about the environmental impact of the car"
"Promoting effective road safety instead of the criminalisation of safe driving"