Average means to halt tragic ends

Published on Sunday 23 March 2008 21:27

TODAY, The Scotsman reveals that Scottish ministers are considering locating average-speed cameras for the first time in built-up areas. In theory, such cameras will prevent motorists from "surfing"; in other words, braking before a known speed camera and then accelerating afterwards.

Some will see this as a further extension of the nanny state. There is also evidence that average-speed cameras divert drivers' attention from the road ahead to their speedometers. In an urban context, if widely used, the deterrent effect of the cameras could be offset by an increased lack of attention to the road.

However, road deaths in Scotland increased overall by 10 per cent in 2006. Two-thirds of all crashes in which people are killed happen on roads with a speed limit of 30 mph or less. Statistics show that at 35mph, a driver is twice as likely to kill someone as they are if travelling at 30mph. Just cutting the average speed in urban areas by 1mph would reduce accidents by 5 per cent. In England, average-speed cameras have improved safety on roads in Nottingham and London.

It is difficult to argue against average-speed cameras, provided they are used in a commonsense fashion and not merely as yet another method of increasing local authority income. If it is the latter, the only outcome will be more cynicism on the part of the motorist.