Perception – Safety Cameras

[Tracey Parker]

We are wondering if anyone has created a campaign to improve the image of safety / speed cameras? Could you share what worked and what was successful?

[Kealie]

Have you contacted the Commissioner for Surveillance Cameras – I understand that they are aware of all work currently being undertaken and may be able to point you in the right direction.

[Helen Wells]

Hi Tracey. I have done some work in this area. Please feel free to contact me on h.m.wells@keele.ac.uk and I will try to assist.

[Andrew Fraser]

Hello, Tracey.

I’ve wondered whether or not it is worth responding to your query. But I suppose I must as no-one else seems to have suggested that perhaps speed cameras deserve the poor image that they have.

Helen Wells, by the way, has done some very good work in the arena … and is a pleasure to discuss matters with (sorry, I know I shouldn’t end on a preposition).

However, I have maintained from the outset that the approach was wrong. (Red light cameras are even worse, but that’s another story.) In short, it is surely an absolute disgrace that such a crude system should have been adopted when Intelligent Speed Assistance (as it is now called) has been available for years. Seems odd to me that Oliver Carsten and the guys at Leeds have never received the dubious honour of a Prince Michael award for the work they have done on it.

We’d’ve been in a far healthier position today, if central government had had the courage to implement it. (It couldn’t possibly be that there are too many fingers in the speed camera pie, could it? I seem to recall a former Transport Minister pushing for cameras … )

Anyway, the difference between what speed cameras might and what ISA would have saved is something that everyone in the real road safety arena should be getting very worked up about!

Andrew (I guess I’ve put my foot in it, again) Fraser.

[Author]

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