Camera partnerships publish encouraging crash data

Two of the country’s safety camera partnerships have published data showing a significant reduction in casualties in their area of operation.

Figures released by the Kent & Medway Safety Camera Partnership show a reduction of 54 per cent in the number of people killed or seriously injured.

Prior to the cameras being installed at the 94 sites where data is available, there was an average of 162 people killed or seriously injured per year. In the 19 months since the Partnership was formed in July 2002 there have been 118 people killed or seriously injured.

Over the last year the Partnership has visited schools throughout the county with its mobile camera van to teach children about the dangers of speeding. The Handle It Or Lose It motorcycle campaign has also been launched, as has a campaign to remind road users that ‘street lights mean 30mph unless otherwise advised’. These campaigns have run alongside a high profile television, radio and bus back advertising campaign to highlight the cost of crashes to the NHS.

"By using cameras at speed related crash sites combined with road safety education and publicity about the dangers of speeding, we are reducing the misery and suffering experienced by hundreds of local families involved in speed related crashes every year," said Rachel Moon, the Partnership’s communications and promotions officer.

Road deaths in Avon and Somerset have fallen by more than a third since the launch of the region’s Safety Camera Partnership two years ago. 66 people died on local roads between April 1 2003 and March 31 this year - 22 less than in the previous 12 months. And the total number of injuries in road crashes also fell - to 6,804 compared with 6,927 in 2002/03.

In the 12 months before the Safety Camera Partnership was launched (in April 2002) there were 103 road deaths in Avon and Somerset, and 7,226 injuries. The biggest fall in injury accidents is on roads and junctions covered by speed detection and red light cameras.

"The reduction in traffic speed has helped to make our local communities just a little safer, particularly for the most vulnerable residents - the young and the elderly, " said project manager Dick Bowen. "Mobile camera teams will spend more time focusing on areas of ‘community concern’ where, although there has not been a bad accident record, local residents fear that speeding traffic is posing a potential danger."

Dick Bowen added that there will also be increased emphasis on driver education through an extension of the Speed Choice workshops that have already been attended by almost 7,000 drivers. "Although the primary motivation for drivers attending these workshops is to avoid having points on their licence, the feedback has been extremely positive with people saying how useful and informative they found these sessions," he said.

More information can be found on the Partnership’s website, www.safecam.org.uk, or from its communications manager Dave Gollicker on 01823 423430, DVGollicker@somerset.gov.uk.