A new wave of speed cameras are coming our way all funded by motorists attending speed awareness courses.
The Coalition pledged to end the “war on the motorist” by putting an end to Whitehall funding for speed cameras however of the 33 partnerships who responded to inquiries from The Daily Telegraph, 21 confirmed that they were embarking on a comprehensive renewal programme over the next two to five years, while another six are still considering their next move.
AA press spokesman Andrew Howard says “In 2010 the Road Safety Grant stopped and local authorities had to find the money from elsewhere. Many had stopped [installing them] altogether. Now, revenue from speed awareness courses are being directed at speed camera installation costs. The people who commit the offences are paying for the cameras.”
The speed awareness courses which are paying for the new wave of speed cameras are currently available from 41 forces across the country and cost between £70 and £97. This is more than the £60 fine however the motorist avoids gaining 3 points on their licence.
The new style cameras are expected to come in digital format meaning that they have never run out of film and the prosecuting photos are automatically sent to the control centre instead of the film having to be collected.
Keith Peat, spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, said “This is entirely predictable. The fact of the matter is the road safety industry, which includes the manufacturers of the devices and the partnerships, have a vested interest.
“These cameras can’t see how an accident happened, they can’t see whether you were drunk or if you were careless.
“This Government is continuing the war on the motorist and it is counter-productive.”
Sep, 13, 2012