Red light cameras possible for Swindon (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Red light cameras possible for Swindon
10:40am Monday 13th April 2009 in News
CAMERAS on traffic lights, designed to catch drivers jumping red lights, could be one element of Swindon Council’s new road safety policy.
As reported in Thursday’s Adver, Swindon Council will pull all fixed speed cameras from Swindon streets in the next few months.
The cameras will be replaced by flashing speed signs, but the possibility of investing in traffic light cameras has not been ruled out.
Coun Peter Greenhalgh, cabinet member for sustainability, transport and strategic planning, said: “Red light cameras are an important tool in the reduction of accidents and it is something we will be looking very closely at.
“Running a red light can be just as dangerous as speeding, and in some cases more so. Anyone who is caught jumping a red light deserves to have the book thrown at them.”
Jo Stagg, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “We support what the council is saying about tackling all causes of accidents on the road, but speed is certainly an element of that which needs to be tackled.
“The red light cameras have been proved to be effective in reducing accidents in areas where there have been problems.
“Drivers running red lights is certainly an issue that needs to be combated but we don’t believe the two factors can be completely separated – it may be the case that people are running red lights because they are speeding.
“The important thing is that the council is putting these measures into place in areas where there have been problems with road accidents.”
Coun Derique Montaut said: “The idea of red light cameras is an interesting one and I’m sure it would have an effect but the problem is that they will not be situated in the areas which are accident blackspots, which is where we need to be focusing our attention.
“The fixed speed cameras were put in positions which were accident blackspots in order to make those areas safer. The only replacement that has been put forward for those key sites are the flashing signs, which I think will only be effective in the short term.
“When we take control of the council we will seek to put those fixed cameras back into those accident blackspots to keep the roads safe.”
Comments(10)
Captain Sensible
says...
11:35am Mon 13 Apr 09
sputnik
says...
11:39am Mon 13 Apr 09
Robh
says...
11:48am Mon 13 Apr 09
The unfortunately named Thamesdown drive is typical. I've been told that to catch the lights on green most of the way you have to travel at just over 50mph. At 40mph it is constant stop start which, if the traffic management office didn't know increases pollution tremendously.
It is no wonder many drivers jump the lights probably out of pure frustration.
MrAngry
says...
12:25pm Mon 13 Apr 09
When I was passing the other day, an ambulance with flashing blue lights was stuck behind a line of cars at a red light. The roundabout and crossing were empty but no one would move out of the way because of the risk of a fine and 3 penalty points.
Swindon_AOK
says...
2:26pm Mon 13 Apr 09
Locally, Labour were hopeless and Derique's obsession with accident blackspots shows how naive he is about road safety.
Most of Swindon's fixed cameras have been there for years and you'd have to be an idiot to get caught by them. Plus most have no film in anyway.
It's time for some new ideas.
nuddy2
says...
4:20pm Mon 13 Apr 09
Oh dear Councillor Montaut, you are a card!!!!!
Purlieu
says...
5:22pm Mon 13 Apr 09
perhaps you might investigate why those places are blackspots in the first place, then take remedial action e.g redesign etc.
Simply putting cameras all over the place has zero effect, I ask you, what are the accident rates in those blackspots before and after cameras ?
Thankyou.
Big Mac
says...
8:41am Tue 14 Apr 09
I'm all for cameras monitoring traffic lights. Running red lights is something that is a real problem and needs to be tackled.
Great to see the Council taking road safety seriously and looking at solutions to actual problems.
Not surprising to see our illustrious Labour councillors spouting their dated and misguided guff.
Taffynut
says...
9:30am Tue 14 Apr 09
Take for example the Drove Road stretch, there are a number of crossings and speeders DO jump the lights. The revenue could reestablish groups that have been denied funding.
The lights outside the Fire Station in Drove Road is one of the complicated issues as the Fire Service DO have problems with motorists hogging in the box that whereby they should NOT be there, yet in absence of "emergencies", I have noticed 4 cars jumping the red light in space of 6 minutes! Is there going to be action on that spot? Doubt it as too many coppers turn a blind eye!
Swindon born n bred says...
10:49am Mon 13 Apr 09