Speed Cameras On The Way Back

Saturday, 1. January 2011

: Image via Wikipedia

After a short respite it seems that the GATSO’s that were switched off earlier this year, due to withdrawn grants to run them, are set to be switched back on. The 72 cameras in Oxfordshire that were switched off in July will be switched back on in April 2011. A new agreement, adopted by 24 police forces, will mean that they will be given a portion of the cash collected from drivers who attend awareness courses in lieu of points on their licences. Whilst this will again cause those who are against speed cameras being used to penalise motorists, whilst not reducing accidents, to protest it seems that it’s just a matter of time before we see most of the cameras across the country switched back on. There will be a drive to force those who have been caught speeding to attend the courses and thereby contribute towards the cost of the cameras. In the Thames Valley the speeding threshold is to increase from the current 10% + 6mph over the speed limit to 10% + 9mph but courses are set to increase from £78 to £95. I thought it was all too good to be true! It would be interesting to see how many additional accidents have occurred in the areas where cameras are sited since the turn off, I would wager that it’s not many, if any at all. What do you think? By Graham Hill