Signing of speed camera sites in Warwickshire
Warwickshire County Council is reviewing the way in which speed cameras are operated to maximise the effect on casualty reduction.
Speed cameras have made an important contribution to casualty reduction in Warwickshire over recent years. In 2007 for example, there were 67% fewer people killed or seriously injured at Warwickshire’s fixed and mobile speed camera sites compared to the baseline (annual average during 1994-98).
One proposal under consideration is to only provide advance warning signs on the approach to new speed camera sites if there is a casualty reduction or community benefit for doing so.
Camera warning signs have been used extensively in Warwickshire, but there are concerns that the requirement to sign camera sites can delay the response to community requests for speed enforcement. The warning signs can also contribute to sign clutter and are costly, therefore diverting resources away from the key activity of enforcement. Speed cameras would continue to be highly visible to motorists with fixed cameras being treated with high visibility reflective material, and mobile camera activity being undertaken from clearly marked vehicles.
Cllr Martin Heatley said:
“Speed cameras have been incredibly successful in Warwickshire. They encourage motorists to obey speed limits and have reduced the number of collisions on our roads. It’s no surprise therefore that we receive such a high number of requests for speed enforcement from local communities.
"We want to be able to respond to these requests quickly. The need to provide advance warning signs can delay our response to these very genuine and real concerns for the safety from our local communities. We want motorists to drive safely and within the speed limit at all times, not just on the approach to speed cameras. Those motorists who obey speed limits at all times have nothing to fear from speed cameras.”