UK Speed Cameras Effective
In a survey conducted last week by consumer watchdog Which?, it was revealed that more than half of Britain's speed cameras don't work. Already, a touchy subject for many motorists, will this recent find only intensify the ongoing debate. Furthermore are the UK's network of fixed and non-fixed speed cameras actually an effective means of controlling speeding?
Over the years, the Government has ploughed billions of pounds into traffic calming measures, most controversial of them all, is the Gatso (speed camera). However, can the government really justify spending so much money on something which just sits idle in various sites around the country? It could be that the camera you pass on the way to work hasn't got any film in it, but, would you chance this to arrive at work that whole 2 minutes faster?
In carrying out this survey Which? has opened up the eyes of millions of motorists throughout the UK. Their findings are certainly food for thought. Are we the taxpayer being fooled by the Government into buying technology which isn't being used as it should be?
Many motorists have preconceived ideas about speed cameras just being a quick fix money making scheme for the government, but, there's more to it than that. Speed cameras save lives, it's as simple as that. People who have been caught speeding will tell you that its not a nice experience - especially the fines and points to the license that follow.
Therefore, in the long run speed cameras actually do help in opening people's eyes to the dangers of excessive speed and encourage them to change their driving habits. Yes, they may be a few isolated cases whereby someone has accidentally gone that couple of mph extra and been caught, but, on the whole this is not commonplace.
In recent years the number of speed cameras has fallen, and indeed Which?'s survey suggests that number could rise. Although, maybe these non-functioning cameras aren't useless after all - surely if they intimidate a driver to slow down then they still maintain a worthwhile purpose?
It would seem that the big speed camera debate will carry on and it will be interesting to see what the current government will decide to do - especially as large scale spending cuts loom over us. Will the speed camera be consigned to the scrap heap for good? Only time will tell.
