Myth buster

So many stories have been told or written about safety cameras that it's hard to know the real truth. Here are just some of the 'myths'; accompanied by the facts.

 

Safety cameras should not be called 'safety cameras' as they have nothing to do with safety.
Fact - The term 'safety camera' is a generic term used to encompass both speed and red light cameras; and there is significant evidence that they do have a highly beneficial effect on road safety.

You have to paint cameras yellow and be visible.
Fact - They're not legal requirements, although we do do this. Below is a list of what are and what aren't legal requirements.

The following ARE legal requirements:

• All equipment is type approved by the Home Office.
• All equipment is calibrated when required.
• All equipment is operated in the correct manner and operators are trained.
• Speed limit signs are in place during enforcement - operators check the correct signage is in place prior to enforcement and again afterwards.
• A Notice of Intended Prosecution is posted from the Central Ticket Office to the registered keeper of the vehicle within 14 days.
• The registered keeper has 28 days to respond to the forms. If the keeper fails to respond a summons will be issued.

The following ARE NOT legal requirements:

• All our vans are clearly marked with camera symbols.
• The cameras are painted yellow.
• All cameras and vans are clearly visible.
• There are black and white camera signs to warn drivers.
• Our cameras are only used where people have been killed or seriously injured.
• In relation to speed limits, ACPO guidelines state a threshold of 10% + 2mph as a minimum.
• In a 30mph limit we erect speed limit repeater signs to remind motorists of the limit.

This initiative will result in cameras being used on every road in the Kent and Medway area, even where there is not a safety problem.
Fact - The Partnership follows a set of guidelines, so we can only site safety cameras on roads with a history of speed-related crashes in which people have been killed or seriously injured.


The introduction of more safety cameras is just another stealth tax for motorists.
Fact - It is impossible to opt out of paying tax, whereas a careful driver who adheres to the law will avoid paying a fine. Only drivers breaking the law by speeding, not wearing a seat belt or using a mobile phone whilst driving will pay. Safety cameras are placed where they will help save lives, not where they might generate revenue.

This is just a measure to generate revenue for the police.
Fact - Kent Police are not making any money from this scheme. All revenue from speeding, mobile phone or seat belt fines goes to the Department for Constitutional Affairs. However, a pre-agreed sum is paid back to the Partnership for maintaining existing safety cameras and installing additional ones and for road safety education and publicity about the issues surrounding excessive or inappropriate speed. The money can only be used for these purposes; it cannot be used to pay for any other police or local authority activity.

You are wasting valuable police resources by concentrating on innocent motorists rather than real criminals.
Fact - Kent Police share the view that its officers should concentrate their efforts on reducing crime. To that end, all the activities of the Partnership are in addition to the enforcement carried out by Kent Police. The Partnership employs its own staff, the majority of which are made up of civilian officers, to operate and service fixed and mobile cameras. Safety cameras do not detect innocent motorists, only offenders. Home Office studies show that serious traffic offenders can often be serious criminal offenders as well. Because of this, the Partnership is paying for a full-time police officer to follow up on instances where motorists do not pay their speeding fines. This is an additional resource, which does not detract from normal policing duties. The enquiries they make, instigated by camera activations, have identified vehicle thieves, uncovered forged documents and helped to identify those involved in crime. This is, of course, in addition to the cameras' role in reducing road casualties and crashes.

The cameras are hidden to catch drivers out.
Fact - Our safety cameras are sited in locations where they are clearly visible to motorists and signed accordingly. In addition, we publish details of their locations on our website. Motorists are therefore being given every opportunity to change their driving style and avoid being 'caught on camera'.

I can slow down at the site of a camera and exceed the speed limit between them without getting caught.
Fact - The technology used in some safety cameras calculates the average speed between camera units, so those motorists speeding between camera units may still be prosecuted. We also use mobile cameras in the vicinity of fixed cameras to detect drivers who do not keep to speed limits throughout the signed area.

It is unfair to prosecute people for speeding at night when it is quiet and there is no traffic.
Fact - The crash rate doubles at night due to higher vehicle speed, more alcohol consumption, tiredness and reduced visibility. Therefore, complying with speed limits is important at all times.

There is no need to carry out speed enforcement when other things make driving dangerous.
Fact - Inappropriate or excessive speed is a major contributory factor in crashes that cause death and injury. We are encouraging motorists to think about their driving behaviour in an attempt to make our roads safer for all road users.

Some speed limits are totally inappropriate and that is why people ignore them. Speed limits should be confined to those areas where they are really needed.
Fact - All our camera enforcement is targeted at locations where people have been killed or injured in speed-related crashes. Some of these locations are in 30, 40 and 50 mph speed limits; others are in places where the national speed limit applies. All of them are in places where drivers need to think about their speed and whether it is appropriate for the prevailing speed limit and road conditions.

Cameras are often too close to the change in speed limit sign.
Fact - All camera sites are visible from a distance and speed should be modified in readiness for the start of a posted limit. Once past a speed limit sign, you are required to drive within the speed stated, taking road conditions and the environment into account.

If drivers are to comply with the speed limit, they will need to constantly take their eyes from the road ahead to check their speedometers. This is dangerous.
Fact - It is not reasonable to claim that drivers are forced to watch their speedometers rather than the road ahead. Safe driving requires concentration at all times and qualified drivers should be well aware of the approximate speed they are travelling without the need to constantly check their speedometers. There are a number of situations in which it is necessary for drivers to be aware of what is happening on the road in directions other than immediately ahead. Examples include using rear and side view mirrors and checking at junctions and roundabouts in order to give way. These all require drivers to concentrate on other sections of the road other than those ahead and there is no evidence to suggest that such short and temporary diversions of concentration are a safety risk.

I received a fixed penalty notice and was only travelling at 32mph in a 30mph zone.
Fact - It would be extremely unusual for any driver to be fined or prosecuted for travelling at 32mph in a 30mph limit. Our Partnership does not operate at levels often described as 'zero tolerance'. We follow guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers not to prosecute motorists unless they are recorded as going at 10% plus 2mph over the posted speed limit. In the case of a 30mph limit, that would be 35mph. This is to safeguard against any discrepancies there might be between speedometers and police equipment.

Other methods should be used to slow drivers down, such as better speed limit signs and traffic calming measures.
Fact - Safety cameras are part of much wider casualty reduction activities carried out by each Highway Authority to reduce vehicle speeds. When considering appropriate measures, planners will always assess whether engineering methods or improved signing are likely to be effective in the first instance.

The police should enforce speed limits without relying on cameras.
Fact - Safety camera enforcement is just one way to control speed and the police still have a part to play in slowing traffic. Outside of the Partnership, the police may enforce speed limits using any equipment that has been approved by the Home Office and stop drivers to offer advice about their speed without prosecuting.

The use of speed cameras is a violation of my human rights. By admitting to being the driver, I would be incriminating myself.
Fact - The incorporation of the Human Rights Act into British law allows British citizens to use the domestic courts to enforce the European Convention on Human Rights. The Act does not affect the admissibility of safety camera evidence. The Law Lords in Privy Council, 5 December 2000, concluded: "It is the duty of the registered keeper to know who the driver is at any time". What about the human rights of vulnerable road users? They are entitled to walk, cycle, ride and drive in a safe environment.