AN INTERVENTION THAT WORKS: SPEED CAMERAS

This paper, printed in the brief note form of the presentation, concerns the effects of pilot trials of speed cameras in certain areas of the UK. Speed influences the severity of injuries in road accidents and research shows that the presence of cameras influences the amount of casualties: the cameras paid for themselves five times over in terms of full costs to society of accidents. The cost recovery regulations are given. After twelve months in the pilot study areas there had been significant reductions in the numbers of drivers exceeding the speed limit, of collisions and of people killed or seriously injured. Fixed-penalty tickets were issued to offending drivers. The cost of the trial was more than offset by the savings in terms of reduction in casualty numbers. Public opinion has been generally positive. The emphasis for the future should be on prevention rather than detection, and a high-profile approach. For the covering abstract see ITRD E119655.