Casualties Fall on Camera Routes
Speed cameras are continuing to significantly reduce road casualties at the accident clusters where they are located. This is the key message from the Safety Camera Partnership for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in their annual report for 2004/5.
The report shows that the number of people killed or seriously injured at camera sites fell by an average of 63% whilst the number of collisions in which people were injured fell by 44% compared to baseline figures.
Commenting on the report the Chief Constable, Paul Kernaghan, said: “The protection of life is the primary mission of Hampshire Constabulary. We are pleased to be a core member of the Safety Camera Partnership. Despite the emotive and often inaccurate coverage of safety cameras, I am clear that they provide an additional valuable tool in our efforts to preserve life on the roads. People are alive and enjoying life today who would not be doing so in the absence of the Safety Camera Partnership.”
In a random, anonymous public survey conducted for us by a market research company 81% of those asked supported the use of safety cameras as a method of reducing casualties and only 9% were not supportive. Julian Hewitt, spokesperson for the Partnership said: “Some sections of the media can give the wrong impression about people’s attitude to cameras. Most people understand that cameras are there to protect all road users and that they are making a valuable contribution to the wider casualty reduction initiatives.”
Dr Marion Sinclair, Project Manager for the Partnership said: “We commit a great deal of time and effort to making sure that cameras are placed in the best possible locations to reduce casualty levels. Our biggest partner is, of course the public, and I am grateful to all those who have supported the work of the Partnership this year by driving with more care and at appropriate speeds. ”
The Report is available to the public on the Partnership web site www.safetycamera.org.uk and is being distributed to police stations, libraries and council offices and other public outlets.
Posted: Friday, January 27 2006
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