Seeing Through SPECS

The speed camera is once again being sold as a magic answer to road safety, reincarnated as SPECS average speed cameras. SPECS cameras were installed on 32 miles of the A77 in July 2005. 3 years later we have the familiar 'before' and 'after' claims. 3 years prior to installation there were 13 deaths and 52 serious injuries, 3 years after installation the figures dropped to 7 and 34 respectively. The total number of accidents fell 19%, average speeds have fallen by 5to 6mph, and the number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit fell by 66%.

Accompanying camera installation were a number of significant safety engineering measures including: selective road widening and re-alignment, passing lanes, improved junction layouts, improved signing and lining, and educational programmes.

Now, which measures will get the credit for casualty reduction? Cameras or engineering/education?

Geoff Hoon, Sunday Times 9th November 2008:

In an interview with The Sunday Times he indicated that many so-called "spot" cameras, which measure speed at a fixed point, could be replaced by the new average-speed cameras, which he claims are fairer and encourage safer driving.

"Spot speed cameras are seen by some people as unfair because when you are driving along you perhaps don't notice your speed," Hoon said.

"What is interesting about average-speed cameras is that [limits] are largely observed by motorists."

Geoff Hoon, BBC Breakfast with Frost, 02/02/2003:

GEOFF HOON: It is absolutely clear that we must remove the weapons of mass destruction from control by Saddam Hussein - that is our primary purpose. Those weapons of mass destruction present a real threat, not only as we've seen in appalling circumstances to the people of Iraq and surrounding regions used in Iraq's invasion of Iran, but also to the safety and security of the world. As the Prime Minister has said, we know that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction, we equally know that if he goes on with their possession they could easily fall into the hands of terrorists and be a direct threat on the streets of London, anywhere in the United Kingdom.