Safety Cameras and Fatal/Serious Injury Crash Reduction
On 27 July 2011, Scotland’s Chief Statistician 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 560 fewer personal injury accidents and over 200 fewer fatal or serious accidents at safety camera sites per year.
In 2010 the Scottish Government invested £6.5m in the Safety Camera Programme.
Gladys Cadden, manager of 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.”
Summary of findings (for Strathclyde)
The reduction in personal injury crashes in the West of Scotland was even more significant during the period:
• During the three-year period 2008 to 2010, the number of personal injury accidents at safety camera sites in Strathclyde was on average 56% lower than the number recorded during the three-year baseline period at each site.
• Over the same time, the number of people killed or seriously injured at safety camera sites in Strathclyde was around 71% lower.
• In comparison, the number of people killed or seriously injured on all of Strathclyde’s roads during the period from 2008 to 2010 was 53% lower than the 1997-1999 average.
• Average speeds, and the number of people exceeding the speed limit at both fixed and mobile camera sites in Strathclyde are generally lower at all speed limits following a period of enforcement.
• The number of people issued with a fixed penalty after being caught exceeding the speed limit or running a red-light at safety camera sites ijn Strathclyde has reduced steadily from 2003 to 2010, with an an 82% reduction in fixed penalties being issued over the six year period.
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.