Thanks to the Association of British Drivers (www.abd.org.uk) for the link!

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/readerletters/9546731.No_excuse_for_propaganda_on_back_of_speed_cameras/?ref=twtrec

No excuse for propaganda on back of speed cameras
2:14pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Letters 

The speed camera lobby has finally shown its true colours of misguided propaganda and money raising.

A year ago, Jeremy Clarkson, of BBC’s Top Gear, inspired his MP to raise an Early Day Motion in Parliament that all speed cameras have a speed limit sign on the back to make the cameras easier to see, reduce traffic speed and cut the number of penalty notices issued.

He said this on the back of research which showed many people caught by cameras claimed not to be fully aware of the speed limit and were not driving dangerously.

Unfortunately, MPs were distracted and the motion was not passed.

With this idea, Essex and Southend councils had an opportunity to show the public they were not all about money-raising, and that they could reduce the number of people caught by cameras by educating them about the legal speed limit with a big, clear sign on the backs of the cameras.

But what did they do? Put useless propaganda on the backs of the cameras saying: “No excuse for speeding.”

Brighton Council was reported as being happy a reduction of the limit from 40mph to 30mph on the A270 was correct, even though it resulted in a 10,000-fold increase in the number of speeding fines.

 I do not believe cameras are an effective way to improve road safety.

The focus of councils and police on speed is costing lives, because they are leaving the critical elements of driver training and re-education, re-engineering of badly designed roads and junctions, and genuine prosecution of dangerous and offences, neglected.

Rob Moore
Gayton Road
Southend

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