Speed cameras in roadworks drive

Speed cameras in roadworks drive
A speed camera system which measures the average speed of vehicles is to be used at major roadworks in South Lanarkshire next month.

The Speed Enforcement Camera System (Specs) will watch vehicles travelling through a contraflow on the M74.

A 40mph speed limit will be in force south of the Raith interchange, near Hamilton, during the 10-weeks of the £2.1m bridge strengthening project.

Maintenance firm Amey said speeding at roadworks was a serious threat to life.

Five road workers were killed in the UK last year as a result of poor driver behaviour at roadworks
Gordon Allan
Amey

Amey said the cameras were mounted on distinctive blue single or double columns and hade already been used to reduce speeding at major works in England.

The agency will operate the cameras along with the Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership.

Gordon Allan, Amey's unit manager in south west Scotland, said: "Five road workers were killed in the UK last year as a result of poor driver behaviour at roadworks.

"Speeding in roadworks is a serious threat to life. Therefore the use of these average speed cameras while the bridge strengthening is taking place is a positive road safety measure.

Lower speeds

"The cameras also have a proven record of helping to improve journey times at roadworks which is a welcome benefit for commuters."

Significant delays are anticipated on the M74 in the vicinity of the works when they get under way on 3 March.

Neil Greig, of the AA Motoring Trust in Scotland, said: "Reducing speed so that traffic flows smoothly is crucial to keeping the motorway network moving and minimising delays due to incidents.

"High-profile systems such as Specs appear to command instant respect from drivers with very few actually being caught and the vast majority adhering to the lowered speed limits."
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