Safety cameras saving lives and money
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today (27 July 2011) announced the release of Key Scottish Safety Camera Programme Statistics 2010. This report shows that the average number of people killed or seriously injured at safety camera sites between 2008 and 2010 is 63 per cent lower than the three-year baseline averages recorded since the start of the programme.
In comparison, the number of people killed or seriously injured on all of Scotland’s roads between 2008 and 2010 is 44 per cent lower than the 1997-1999 average. This shows that the use of safety cameras is an effective road safety tool, helping to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Scotland’s roads.
Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2009 reports the estimated average cost of:
an injury accident to be over £83,000
a serious accident to be over £208,000
a fatal accident to be over £1,800,000
By the end of 2010 there were over 500 fewer personal injury accidents including over 170 fewer fatal or serious accidents at safety camera sites per year.
In 2010/2011 the Scottish Government invested £6.5m in the Safety Camera Programme.
A spokesperson for the Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership said, “This statistical bulletin shows that our partnership approach of government, police and roads authorities is delivering the benefits of safety cameras by helping to save lives and by reducing the financial impact of road collisions on the Scottish economy. As there is no link between the funding of cameras and the number of offenders detected, the Bulletin demonstrates clearly that the aim is to reduce the number of motorists willing to risk the safety of others. Safety Cameras are funded through a grant from the Scottish Government in the interests of making communities stronger and safer by deterring speeding and red light running.”
Kathleen Braidwood, RoSPA Road Safety Officer said, “With an average of ten fewer accidents involving injuries every week at safety camera sites, it is clear that cameras are helping to reduce the misery caused by crashes across Scotland. The use of cameras is part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent speed-related accidents across Scotland, involving many partners and a variety of approaches.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The full statistical publication can be accessed at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/SafeCam
The main aims of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme are to:
reduce the number of people killed and injured on the roads
help raise public awareness of the issues and dangers of inappropriate speed
make speeding as socially unacceptable as drink driving
change long-term driver behaviour in relation to speeding and red light running.
Safety cameras in Scotland are operated by eight Partnerships under the umbrella of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme. The Partnerships include local authorities, Police Forces, the NHS, Fire and Rescue Services and the Scottish Government.
The Partnerships were launched as follows:
Strathclyde
April 2000
Fife
April 2002
NESCAMP (Grampian area)
October 2002
Dumfries and Galloway
July 2003
Lothian and Borders
July 2003
Tayside
July 2003
Northern
July 2004
Central
April 2006