Politech: FC: Install automated speedcams, kill drivers?

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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From: "Diamond, Richard" <Richard.Diamond () mail house gov>
To:
Subject: 4000 injured/killed by UK speed cameras
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 20:52:57 -0400

As reported in the London Sunday Times, the number of UK drivers injured or 
killed in accidents has risen by 4,000 since 1997, despite the massive 
expansion of Britain's photo radar program in the past five years.
The latest UK figures show that road deaths rose from 3,409 in 2000 to 
3,443 in 2001. The biggest rise was in the number of children killed - up 
14% to 218.
Had the opposite been the case, you'd hear all about the great success of 
their camera program.  The fact is, accidents are up both in the UK and 
Australia, despite (or, rather, because of) the widespread use of speed 
cameras  Speed camera profits are at an all time high as well.  The full 
text of the article appears below.
Richard Diamond
Office of the Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
202-225-6007 / www.freedom.gov

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Sunday Times (London)  June 16, 2002, Sunday
Drivers face new onslaught of road bumps and speed cameras
Jonathan Leake and Rachel Dobson

A SHARP increase in the number of road humps, speed cameras, bends and 
other obstacles for drivers is being proposed by a powerful committee of 
MPs. The same committee, whose proposals will be published this week, wants 
drivers who break speed limits to be subjected to tougher penalties 
enforced by a fresh influx of speed cameras.
Under the proposed changes, police and local authorities could get the 
power to install cameras in places they deem to be dangerous - even if no 
accidents have happened. In many areas speed limits could also be cut to as 
little as 20mph. Critics of the proliferation of speed cameras accuse the 
government of using them primarily as a means of revenue.
The money made from speed camera fines has doubled to Pounds 25m a year 
since Labour took office in 1997.
Last week figures were published which showed that road deaths rose from 
3,409 in 2000 to 3,443 in 2001 - with 1,200 linked to speeding. The biggest 
rise was in the number of children killed - up 14% to 218. The government 
had pledged to cut accident rates.
Drivers' groups argue that the introduction of speed cameras since Labour 
came to power has had almost no effect on reducing the number of road 
deaths except at some well known accident black spots. In fact, a 
parliamentary answer revealed that the number of drivers injured or killed 
in accidents has risen by 4,000 since 1997.
[...]




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