Accident claims could go up with speed cameras switched off

Oxfordshire became the first county to switch off its speed cameras

, as the war on motorists was declared over by the Minister of Transport. Those dreaded flashes in your rear-view mirror are now a thing of the past.

This is a signal that the national network of speed cameras, approximately 6,000 of them, could be facing the end of the line as councils across the nation look to met their new, lower budget.

The turn off by Oxfordshire was a result of reduced funding. The Government has cut funds for road safety schemes across the U.K. by 40 per cent. Fixed-position speed cameras are not the only victim however. The nation's 89 mobile camera network as well as cameras that monitor traffic lights will also face being switched off.

But it might not be the absolute end for speed cameras. Several community groups are considering the idea of paying for the devices themselves. Others are considering the idea of merely replacing the scheme with fake camera's in order to try and reduce speeding offences.

Why are these groups going out of their way for speed cameras? Well some citizens, particularly those who are village residents, have no doubt about the benefits that speed cameras produce. In areas where there is a 30 mph speed limit there seems to be a noticeable effect on the number of accident claims.

It is worth noting that community groups themselves are not allowed to enforce speed limits, but they can pay for someone else to do it.

The speed camera, which first hit the scene in 1992, has been the source of much research. Do they actually save lives? If people are going to speed, does a camera really stop them from doing so?

Research claims that speed cameras actually reduce deaths and serious accidents by 42 per cent. Other research shows that the decline of serious road accidents has actually slowed since the introduction of speed cameras.

The Department of Transport admitted last week that there is no real conclusive research as to the benefit of the devices.

Yet despite the switching off of speed cameras, a great deal seem to be reappearing at our road sides. These fake devices to occupy a grey area of the law and could be deemed unlawful if they distract drivers. There have been reports of members of the public painting wooden boxes and cereal boxes yellow in order to stop speeding lorries and cars.

This in itself should be a concern. Being able to drive is not a right, but a privilege, and those divers who flaunt the speed limit are not only putting their lives, but the lives of others in danger. It will be interesting to see whether the number of accident claims increases over the next coming year or not.

If you have had a road traffic accident, call us on 0845 50 50 025 and we will help you find a solicitor in local area who specialises in road traffic accidents and accident claims.

Accident claims could go up with speed cameras switched off

By: clarapiere

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