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Two out of five speed cameras 'turned off'

30/12/2008

Up to two-fifths of speed cameras are switched off, but have not been removed because they "scare motorists", it has emerged.

And many cameras have been inactive since placement guidelines changed seven years ago.

The information was revealed by The Mirror, after it requested speed camera details from the country's 44 police forces under the Freedom of Information Act.

Nineteen forces provided details on inactive cameras, with the Metropolitan Police admitting that 40% of their 744 cameras were switched off in 2007/8. In the West Midlands, 32% of 281 cameras were not working.

A Met source told the paper that many cameras were deactivated in December 2001 because they did not meet the new guidelines on camera placement.

"They have been left in place to scare motorists. They have a deterrent effect and encourage safe driving," the unnamed source added.

Meanwhile, Government transport advisors have recommended the voluntary introduction of GPS-based speed limiting devices in cars.

In a joint report, the Commission for Integrated Transport and the Motorists' Forum say that intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) systems - which automatically reduce vehicle speed to no more than the road speed limit - could reduce CO2 emissions by 5.8% on 70mph roads.

The report claims that injury accidents would be reduced by 29% if all vehicles were fitted with ISA, but the system is likely to meet with some opposition from drivers.

Presenter Quentin Wilson told BBC News: "Remotely policing the roads from satellites in the sky - I would worry about it an awful lot."

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