TWO THIRDS OF DRIVERS SUPPORT USE OF MOBILE SPEED CAMERAS
16 August 2004 - Green Flag Motoring Assistance

Nearly two thirds of drivers (62%) support the use of mobile speed cameras, according to a survey released today.

The survey, by Brake, the national road safety charity and Green Flag Motoring Assistance, shows that there is solid support for the cameras designed to catch dangerous drivers who try to avoid detection by fixed cameras.

Last month the Government announced plans to change the law making it illegal to use in-car devices that detect mobile speed cameras.

The plans could be announced as early as autumn 2004 when the Government will hopefully introduce a Road Safety Bill in the Queen''s Speech.

Mary Williams OBE, chief executive of Brake, says: ''Today''s survey shows there is huge support for mobile speed cameras as an enforcement tool to catch dangerous drivers who are prepared to break the law and risk lives. Local communities live in constant fear of speeding drivers but cannot get a fixed speed camera until four people have been killed or seriously injured. Mobile cameras are an effective way of reducing speed before it is too late.''

A Green Flag spokesperson says: ''Speed cameras in general have received a lot of bad press in recent years, and in particular mobile cameras, but when positioned in areas of high risk, they are proven to save lives. Despite the anti-camera noise, the public, especially those with families in areas plagued by speeding drivers, are supportive of their use. This is clearly borne out by the results of Brake''s survey.''

Brake, with Green Flag Motoring Assistance''s support, is forwarding this report to Government with the following recommendations for action by the Department for Transport and the Home Office to tackle speeding drivers:

· Make more funding available for more high-profile, peak-time,
year-round advertising on television and radio about the risks of speeding. Advertising needs to be targeted and it needs to be educational. This should include specific campaigns on the dangers of not keeping a safe distance on motorways and other roads and speed on rural roads;

· Encourage vehicle manufacturers to introduce digital speedometers so
that drivers are always aware of their exact speed;

· Make all driving bans a minimum period (e.g. 6-12 months) to ensure
they are an effective enforcement measure;

· Remove restrictions on speed camera location that currently require
four people to have been killed or seriously injured at that location before a camera can be installed ? this restriction runs counter to the police and local authority duty of care to take all reasonable action to protect citizens from harm caused by criminal behaviour;

www.greenflag.com

More News
  For August 2004
  From Green Flag Motoring Assistance
  For Associations
  Biker247.com Home Page