Safety cameras in Wales are working as a new report shows that the reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured at camera sites has exceeded UK Government targets.
GoSafe - the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership - unveiled the figures in its annual report which was launched today. It revealed a 41.72 per cent reduction in the number of killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties since cameras were introduced back in 2002 – exceeding the UK Government target of 40 per cent. Reductions in Child (KSI) casualties have also exceeded the 50 per cent target set, with a 55 per cent reduction.
Jim Moore, Partnership Manager of GoSafe, said: “Excessive and inappropriate speed remains a major cause of collisions and associated fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. As our annual report clearly shows, safety cameras, whether they are fixed, mobile or average speed, play an important role in moderating driver behaviour and have contributed significantly to the impressive reductions in fatal and serious casualties in recent years.
“Saving families from the grief of a sudden death of a loved one is worthwhile in itself. Education, engineering and enforcement are far more cost effective than the costs of emergency services, hospitals and care associated with a road traffic collision. ”
The annual report 2009/2010 covers the first year for GoSafe - the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership (WRCRP). The largest in the UK, GoSafe is made up of 28 partners, including the 22 unitary authorities in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government, four police forces and Her Majesty’s Court Service.
In Wales, the partnership currently operates 168 fixed cameras, 45 red light cameras and a digital average speed camera system on the M4. There is also a fleet of mobile enforcement units that cover a total of 573 mobile camera sites across Wales.*
* Figures correct at time of printing
To download this year’s Annual Report, please click on following link.
Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership - Annual Report 2009/2010
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