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M4 cameras spark protest group
Wiltshire and Swindon Camera Partnership's use of safety cameras on the M4 has triggered a new protest group - but the camera partnership is encouraged by initial monitoring.
M4 Protest (www.m4protest.org) is planning a slow drive protest along the M4 through Wiltshire on Saturday 30 April. The group hopes this action will 'show the driving public's dissatisfaction with speed cameras in the run up to the general election'. Protesters will convene at 10am on 30 April at two motorway service stations in Wiltshire.
However, the Wiltshire & Swindon Safety Camera Partnership claims that initial traffic flow monitoring provides encouraging results. The five-day exercise shows that motorists are observing the speed limit, even at times when there has been no enforcement carried out.
On average 84,000 vehicles use the Wiltshire section of the M4 in any one 24-hour period. During a single hour of monitoring, of those motorists exceeding the speed limit only four were detected between 85mph and 90mph and only one motorist was travelling at or above 91mph.
"We have also noticed a much more even flow of traffic, with motorists leaving enough space between vehicles," said Nick Blencowe , sergeant for the safety camera unit. "It is too early to make any judgements regarding the use of speed cameras on the M4 but we will continue to monitor the traffic and collision rates."
