Digital Speed Cameras

The new 'SPECS' speed cameras which measure the time taken to travel a fixed distance of up to a mile were unveiled recently in Nottingham. These work by measuring average speed over a fixed distance.

They system takes a picture of the vehicle and then recognising the registration number when it passes the second camera. To be caught, the speeding vehicle has to pass both cameras. So if there are any junctions or access points to property between the cameras, those using them to leave or join the 'speed control zone' will not be caught however fast they drive.

In reality, people moderate their speed continually according to the conditions and avoid most accidents altogether. These cameras will force people to drive at exactly the speed limit without taking conditions into account or paying proper attention.

Because of this, problems will result - some people will be stopped in between the cameras by traffic conditions and will realise they can speed up for the rest of the zone. Others will realise they have exceeded the limit at some point because they were actually concentrating on the road not their speedometer (shame on them) and will stop before the second camera. Surely recipe for disaster.

These problems can only be avoided by using these cameras in free flowing traffic where there are no houses, no bends, no junctions and no pedestrians - but there aren't any speed related accidents in such places, either! Cynics would argue that they are better at revenue generation than increasing road safety.

Nottingham Council and the police have spent a lot of money on public relations in an attempt to sell this scheme to an increasingly sceptical public. They have resorted to the usual emotional blackmail - dedicating the scheme to a child road accident victim. But was this accident caused by speeding, or was it really caused by the sort of behaviour that these cameras will encourage - inattentiveness and aggression? Most likely the latter - it's happened before.

The £300,000 spent on these cameras would have been more usefully spent on properly trained police officers dealing with bad and dangerous driving. This would save more lives and retain public goodwill. But, of course, it wouldn't satisfy the current political desire to fleece motorists and it wouldn't raise any money. No chance there, then!

Fortunately, as the cameras are forward facing they are unable to read motorcycle registrations, however, the manufacturers inform us they work equally effectively if facing the rear of the vehicle. You have been warned!