UK - 'Speed Cameras Are Not Saving Lives'

'Speed Cameras Are Not Saving Lives'
Last Edited: Wednesday, 14 Mar 2007, 9:00 AM EDT
Created: Wednesday, 14 Mar 2007, 2:30 AM EDT
03/14/2007 -- The Government has cancelled research into the effect speed cameras are having on accident rates and driver behaviour, it has emerged.

The decision has been condemned as "astonishing and grossly irresponsible" by anti-speed camera group Safe Speed.

It found out about the move using the Freedom of Information Act.

The DfT says the original research was replaced by a study looking at the wider effects of cameras.

But Safe Speed, which believes cameras are having no effect on casualty rates, is sceptical.

It claims the research was dropped because the DfT was "scared about the likely results".

It was a Safe Speed member who organised the anti-road charging petition which attracted 1.8 million signatures on a Downing Street website.

Safe Speed has published its own report on the "side effects" of speed cameras.

It claims there has not been the expected fall in road deaths or injuries from crashes since speed cameras were brought in.