Speeding Motorists Set to See Red

[RobBrady]

In a pilot that subscribes to the "more haste less speed" school of thought, the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership are introducing new traffic light technology to two roads in Swindon. It's thought to be the first trial of its type in the UK and, if successful, may replace many existing red light speed cameras.

The Swindon Advertiser reports that if speeding drivers are spotted approaching a controlled junction, the lights automatically turn red to slow them down. The plan is to educate speeders that their journey will ultimately take longer if they break the law. Well, that's the plan - as to whether those held up at said lights will then speed even more to make up for lost time is open to debate.

Do you think such schemes will ever replace red light speed cameras?
_________________
Robert Brady

[Trevor]

What a totally stupid idea

So when a Ambulance, Police or Fire Engine approch on an emergency call travelling over the speed limit the lights go to RED infront of them and possibly cause another accident.

Give the people who think of these ideas a usefull job like directing traffic in a car park.

[DennisN]

Also discussed HERE where it links to Telegraph report which also says..

[Darren]

And as one caller to Radio2 explained, where this technology has been deployed in Spain, invariably the speeding driver will bet through the lights before they turn to red and the only ones inconvenienced are the law abiding drivers behind.
_________________
Darren Griffin

[Guivre46]

[worried]

I first came across this in Germany early 1996 near Mannheim, approaching a small town going to fast and the light went red about 200M before I got there, no junctions, the only purpose as stated

[MikeB]

This has worked very successfully in villages in Portugal for a number of years now. Better than the job creation that the speed camera brigade creates, and much more effective at moderating speed in sensitive areas.
_________________
Mike Barrett

[Lui-G]

In Portugal, I've generally found that those who will speed will either zoom by the lights before they turn red (a common game to play), or they just ignore the red light since they are breaking the law anyway. Still, I expect occasional or distracted speedsters may be affected, so overall it's not a bad thing.

What I don't understand is why the government doesn't just implement average speed calculations between number plate recognition cameras. They could stop the entire country from speeding - quickly and more cheaply than using any other method.

Seems so simple to me, I don't see why it hasn't been done.

No more speeding country wide. More lives saved and less resources used to clean up the mess.

...and why are buses and taxis allowed to speed? Surely they should have limiters in place?

What about seatbelts in buses?

This whole road safety seems half baked.

[MikeB]

[newtomoneowner]

We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?.
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!