DRIVERS are urging traffic enforcers in Greater Manchester to ditch the region's speed cameras.
They acted after Swindon, in Wiltshire, became the first council in Britain to withdraw funding for the machines.
There are more than 150 cameras on roads across Greater Manchester, which road safety officials say have saved hundreds of lives.
But Hugh Bladon, from the National Association of British Drivers, said cities including Manchester should follow Swindon's lead.
He said: "We're not absolutely against the cameras because they can be useful in places, such as at a problem junction, but that's the only time they should be used. There are 7,000 speed cameras around the country and they do not do anything to make the roads safer. We need to get more police officers on the roads."
He added: "I think Manchester should do the same, but I doubt they would have the guts to do it."
Swindon's nine-strong cabinet of the Tory-run council voted unanimously in favour of withdrawing from the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership.
Highways
The idea was first suggested 12 months ago by Peter Greenhalgh, councillor for highways in Swindon. He objected to central government receiving cash from the fines while Swindon council had to pay for the upkeep of the cameras.
He said after the vote was passed: "We will be working very closely with our partners, including police, in the road safety partnership to deliver a plan that reduced the number of people being killed on the roads in Swindon."
Seventy people died on Swindon's roads in the past year, which Mr Greenhalgh said was proof that fixed-point speed cameras are not curbing motorists' excessive speed. He said alternative speed-reducing measures were being considered by the council, including education and training for motorists and reduced speed limits in problem areas.
Former chief inspector Neil Longsden, who was second in command of Greater Manchester Police motorway group, said today that there should be a review of speed camera sites in the region. "I think speed cameras are just one of a number of useful tools. I don't think they should be taken away, but there should be a proper look at where they are located."
Neil Greig, of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said Swindon's move would have little effect on the number of people killed and seriously injured.
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Dukey, ECCLES (23/10/2008 at 11:32)
In the know (23/10/2008 at 11:38)
I'm sure that Swindon Council would have been telling local residents how important they were just a couple of years ago, but now the money is going to central government other ideas are getting looked at.
It's bent I tell ya.
chris (23/10/2008 at 11:43)
Bean B4, manchester (23/10/2008 at 11:50)
JTC Formerley JimC (23/10/2008 at 11:54)
Trumpetman21 (23/10/2008 at 14:00)
Sparky was the best ever (23/10/2008 at 17:20)
The other effect of speed cameras is driving at a legal speed and out of the blue, the car in front slams the brakes on, almost causing an accident.
Because they're static, they're not effective at reducing speed. All they achieve is to create a potential danger point and to generate income for more cameras.
If they must use speed to prevent accidents, they should put cameras at traffic lights and use VASCAR and police laser equipment for speed checks.
We all know that it's not speeding that kills, but bad driving and many bad drivers also speed. But the police can't point a device at a car and detect bad driving, can they?
The money should be invested into in-car cameras to record bad driving and give tickets based on that, rather than focusing on speeding.
griffin, stockport (23/10/2008 at 17:47)
I'm fed up with the number of drivers who speed past me then violently brake as we reach a speed camera.
Statistics can be produced to show that speed cameras save lives, and, visa versa. But even if they MAY only save one life, or none at all, they are worth keeping. I would keep them for the income and to fine the inconsiderate drivers. So, if you speed and get caught you should be prepared to pay the fine, as is the same with using mobile phones.
However, the fines should be shared between the Council and the Government, then, as I say, Swindon would not be scrapping theirs.
S P In exile, Tameside (24/10/2008 at 02:46)
citycentre, manchester (24/10/2008 at 15:43)
as soon as we all get our ID cards with RFID tags so we can be followed and filmed all the time I am sure you will get your wish