CASUALTIES CUT BY CAMERAS

Latest figures released today by the Safety Camera Partnership reveal a fall in casualties at camera sites on Mid and South Wales roads in the nine months since the extension of the scheme.

The Safety Camera Partnership, which is responsible for static and mobile speed camera enforcement, was piloted in April 2000 in South Wales and was extended to cover the Gwent and Dyfed Powys police force areas in April last year.

Figures for April to December 2002 were measured against baseline data collated prior to the Partnership’s existence. They reveal a 60 per cent reduction in people killed or seriously injured (KSI) at camera sites. This equates to about 112 people. There was also a 25 per cent reduction in personal injury accidents, equating to approximately 153 fewer accidents.

The number of road collision fatalities also dropped by 26 per cent in 2002, with a total of 103 compared to 139 in 2001.

John Rowling, project manager for the Safety Camera Partnership, said: “We are extremely pleased with these results. The figures show that speed cameras are working, with a reduction in speeds and casualties.

“The extension of the scheme into Gwent and Dyfed Powys last year means that more lives have been saved and more injuries have been avoided. We hope this reinforces the message that safety cameras are not there to catch motorists out – they are there to reduce the number of casualties on roads.”