Policy Statements - Safety
Cameras
Speed and severity of injury are inextricably linked.
Safety cameras have been introduced in Northern Ireland as
part of the Governments Road Safety Strategy, aimed at reducing
the level of casualties on our roads.
The deployment of safety cameras should only be used on those
roads having a history of serious road traffic collisions
and meeting the specific Government criteria.
The Road Safety Council of Northern Ireland firmly believes
that any revenues generated by such devices MUST be re-invested
in Road Safety in Northern Ireland.
The Facts:
- Evidence of speeding from such devices is acceptable
for conviction.
- Fixed safety cameras are presently located at selected
roadside sites in distinctive yellow camera housings.
- There are usually white markings on the road to help
in the calculation of driver's speeds and to further warn
drivers of the existence of a camera.
- There should be adequate advanced warning of the presence
of cameras by means of clear signage.
- Mobile speed cameras can be moved from site to site
and are operated manually by officers of the PSNI.
Casualties
Studies carried out from over 250 camera sites in Great
Britain, show that the number of people killed or seriously
injured fell by a third, over a two-year period.
The Great Debate
- A significant number of motoring organisations, along
with elements of the motoring press, have expressed concern
about the heavily increased usage of speed cameras throughout
the U.K. There is a perception that the cameras are there
only to generate additional revenue for the local governing
agencies and police force.
- The view of the general public, based upon surveys carried
out at pilot schemes in Great Britain was that the vast
majority agreed that safety cameras contribute to a reduction
in collisions on roads where they are installed.
The Police
The Police Service of Northern Ireland's key message in their
campaign is that they "want to stop us speeding…not
catch us speeding", a message fully supported by the
Road Safety Council.
More information regarding camera types, locations and operation
of the Northern Ireland Safety Camera Scheme is available
from the PSNI web site: www.psni.police.uk.
The Road Safety Council fully endorses the Governments
initiative in addressing the high road casualty rate in
Northern Ireland.
|
