ALT-1 Are the UK Speed Cameras an Effective Deterrent
The UK has one of the highest densities of speed camera on its road of any country in the world and is certainly the leader in Europe in this respect. There are two kinds of speed cameras, these being the fixed and mobile varieties. The mobile cameras are usually contained within police vans that often park at the side of the road in an unexpected location in an attempt to catch the unwary motorists. The system has been developed over the past few decades and it now accounts for the majority of driving convictions.
However, despite the growing population of cameras, until recently it could be said that the effectiveness of these cameras as a deterrent has been mixed. There are three main reasons where the effectiveness of the speed camera system can be questioned. The first is the fact that not all of the cameras actually have film within them at any given time. Although it would be a brave driver who took a risk based upon the chance of film not being present in the speed camera it does mean that the percentage chance of being caught speeding and actually reported is below sixty percent.
Secondly, the film system itself reduces the effectiveness of the system. This technology does not allow for fast resetting. Therefore, if two or more cars drive through the camera areas at speed only one is actually likely to be photographed, thus allowing others to escape the conviction.
Another area where lack of effectiveness can be witnessed in the speed camera system is the advance warning system. For example, there are road signs indicating where cameras are present. Furthermore the camera boxes are painted bright yellow, which makes them identifiable. In addition to this, the distance over which the cameras measure the speed is indicated on the road surface. These events provide the driver with advance warning and allow them to slow down for the required distance, which is usually about one hundred yards before returning to higher speeds immediately post the camera area.
Therefore, it can be said that at present the effectiveness of the speed camera system in deterring long distance speeding is limited to short distances on the roads. In addition, another factor that has begun to be used to reduce the effectiveness of these cameras is the block speeding system. This is particularly used on motorways. What happens in this event is that one will find a number of vehicles driving in convoy at high speeds. In this case only the front or rear cars are at risk of being caught.
However, recent moves are being made to increase the effectiveness of the speed camera system. The first of these improvements is the adoption of the European system of detecting average speed over a given distance, which can be as long as twenty or thirty miles. Based upon the time it takes a vehicle to travel these distances the system will calculate the average speed and, if that speed is in excess of the permitted limit, will issue a summons.
The second area of improvement being introduced is the use of radio frequency identification technology. Every new vehicle is being fitted with licence plates that have RFID chips incorporated, which allows them to be monitored for any given purpose, which of course includes speeding. Furthermore, this system does not require a film system, thus making it faster and therefore increases the numbers of speeding drivers being caught.
In conclusion therefore, although it can be said that at present there are some limitations to the effectiveness of the UK speed camera system, these are rapidly being addressed. Furthermore, with the fines and penalty points awarded being increased, these improvements, together with the increased likelihood of a driving ban are leading to a system that is becoming a more effective deterrent.
