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More Speed Cameras but do the statistic bear scrutiny?
 The Telegraph recently covered the story of more speed cameras coming to UK roads and speeding penalties being increased.
Drivers are facing a six-point endorsement for speeding offences where the speed limit was exceeded by 15mph or more in 20mph or 30mph zones. This could lead to a driving ban after only two infringements.
Last week at Traffex the speed camera manufacturers were keen to promote the safety aspects with liberal use of figures showing the reduction in numbers of KSI (killed or seriously injured) since speed cameras were installed at X, Y or Z.
However close scrutiny of many of these claims reveals some interesting facts. What neither the manufacturers nor the safety camera partnerships mention is how many of these casualties or fatalities were as a result of incidents that involved speeding. In more than a few cases inspection of the detailed statistics shows that a large proportion of the accidents did not feature speeding as a factor and when that element is taken out the real figures tell a very different story.
In one example, the KSI figures had actually INCREASED following the introduction of speed cameras on some stretches of road. Those cases involving excess speed as a factor did not change significantly when compared with data pre-speed camera.
Makes you think doesn't it?
| Comments
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 Posted by DennisN on Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:52 am |
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Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics!
My only accidents in over 40 years involved my van and a deer and my van and a pheasant. In both cases, I was on a motorway and driving along close to (but below) the 70mph speed limit. In both cases, if I had been travelling at 50mph below the speed limit I would probably have had time to take avoiding action. At least it seems possible that 50% of the recipients of my arrival might have survivied with only minor, insignificant injuries. So, I was involved in two KSIs (actually Ks, there was no SI about it), in both cases of which, speed played a very significant factor.
Conclusion - reduce motorway speed limits to 15 or 20mph and introduce average speed cameras covering them all and the country's population of pheasants and deer will benefit somewhat. So will the economy. I have not seen any figures on the cost to the economy of a KSI for a pheasant or a deer, but it must be significant (the pair of them cost me close to £2,000).
I'll get me coat. 
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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| Posted by Graculus on Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:42 pm |
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Even when a particular incident is related to excessive speed, what all the posturing fails to recognise is that someone who crashes out doing 75 in a 60 would probably still be doing 75 if the limit was 50. Similarly, what proportion of accidents in 30mph zones are actually caused by people who are doing 40+, and who would be doing 40+ however low you set the limit?
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| Posted by brittleware on Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:46 pm |
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I've driven for 44 (touch wood) accident free years so far - an ex Hendon Police Instructor taught me to drive - with the intention to overtake anything in front, how to use "lines" and the apex of corners to improve sight lines, anticipate, anticipate, anticipate. Just drive faster than everyone else. Commentary drives were - and still are fun!
Speed is NOT the problem - it's inappropriate speed and lack of attention. Speed cameras are just another thing to watch for and anticipate, there to catch the stupid and inattentive.
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| Posted by sundancer on Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:49 pm |
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Absolutley.........
It's not the speed that kills......It's the stopping! |
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| Posted by alanf on Fri May 01, 2009 7:47 am |
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One of the fundamental problems with speed cameras is that whenever the driver sees a speed camera the instinct is to check the speed on the dashboard.
Next time you are near a camera and your side is still, just watch the behaviour on the other side if it's clear, more than half of the drivers wil be paying more attention to the speedo than the road.
Acer n35, Destinator 3.0.75, Destinator 6 |
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| Posted by exportman on Fri May 01, 2009 8:26 am |
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How many times do you see a driver instinctively hit the brakes when they see a camera, even if they are not speeding?
They then become hazard I have seen several minor shunts because of this. A stranger to the road being followed by someone who knew the area well, this is especially true on urban roads with limits over 40.
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| Posted by brittleware on Fri May 01, 2009 9:35 pm |
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Yup - that happens many times, and it's dangerous. Get a Sat Nav with an up-datable speed camera database? It'll warn you well before the camera is reached.
Personally I've been using a Garmin Nuvi 310D and a radar camera detector for years. Except in France, 'cos it's illegal there.....
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| Posted by DennisN on Sat May 02, 2009 6:44 am |
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| brittleware Wrote: | Yup - that happens many times, and it's dangerous. Get a Sat Nav with an up-datable speed camera database? It'll warn you well before the camera is reached.
Personally I've been using a Garmin Nuvi 310D and a radar camera detector for years. Except in France, 'cos it's illegal there..... |
Personally, I've been using various TomTom models with the PocketGPSWorld speed camera database for years and spoken warnings - they warn me well in advance of the cameras and also tell me the speed limit the cameras are operating at. These radar detectors are all very well, but useless for mobile cameras - by the time you get a warning you've already been pinged!
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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| Posted by Digitore on Sat May 02, 2009 7:29 am |
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After 27years of trouble free motoring I was caught speeding on an empty dual carriageway because I'd failed to notice the 40 sign. It was a fair cop as there was a lone farm house 200m from the road, and plod was clearly short of convictions for the day. 6 weeks later I'm in court and recieving a £725 fine and 6 points!
I have 2 friends who act as defence solicitors, both advised me the same tactic. Don't fight it, just accept this is not a system devised to reduce KSIs but a mechanism to indirectly tax car users.
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| Posted by DennisN on Sat May 02, 2009 1:33 pm |
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| Digitore Wrote: | | After 27years of trouble free motoring I was caught speeding on an empty dual carriageway because I'd failed to notice the 40 sign. |
And you weren't using the PocketGPSWorld speed camera database?
Dennis
If it tastes good - it's fattening.
Two of them are obesiting!! |
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Speed is NOT the problem - it's inappropriate speed and lack of attention.
