A 10-point plan to restore confidence in traffic speed limits and remove revenue-raising cameras from the roads has been unveiled by Theresa May.
Signalling that a Conservative administration would take the heat off drivers, the Shadow Transport and Environment Secretary declared: “The public have lost faith in the way speed limits are being enforced on our roads. People believe there is a war on the motorist, and that speed cameras are being used to raise money, not to promote safety.”
And she told conservatives.com: “We want to restore people’s confidence in speed limits and how they are policed. This means intelligent policing, honest information about speed cameras, and an emphasis on safe driving, not income generation.”
Under the plan, the safety criteria for locating each camera would be published on a website, along with the revenue – and fines imposed – generated from each camera each year; speed limits outside schools would be reduced to 20 mph at times when children are arriving and departing, and accompanied by flashing warning lights; while penalty points for speeding offences would be variable and range from one to six points. Standard fines would remain, as would a ban for excessive speeds.
More electronic sign indicators, improved road design, and better driver education would be introduced, with awareness courses for some offenders – paid for by the cost of the fine – replacing a loss of points.
Under the Conservatives, there would be more active traffic policing, while revenue generated from cameras would be spent on road safety.
Mrs May said: “Stricter speed limits around schools and parks will help reduce child deaths, while vehicle activated warning signs will alert drivers about speed. A full audit of every camera will ensure they are sighted at accident black spots, rather than on roads where they raise the most revenue from fines.”
She added: “By choosing to put up more and more speed cameras, the Government is ignoring other more effective ways of changing driver behaviour. The Government must realise that changing driver behaviour lies at the heart of improving road safety. We believe that extending driver education schemes and teaching drivers about the implications of excessive speed is more important than raising millions in fines.”
Mrs May went on: “The Conservatives have also pledged to abolish camera partnerships as an unnecessary tier of bureaucracy. Police to be responsible for enforcement. ”
The 10 Point Safer Driving Plan in full
· Recognition that cameras are not enough- our policy would promote intelligent driving by improving road design, and the effectiveness of alternatives to penalty-generating cameras, such as electronic sign indicators and driver education.
· To restore public confidence, an independent audit of the estimated 6000 speed cameras in Britain, in order to establish safety needs and positioning of existing fixed speed cameras. Fixed speed cameras will be positioned in genuine accident black spots. The safety criteria for siting each camera would be published on a website, along with the revenue (or the number of fines imposed) generated from that camera each year.
· Speed limits to be changed-limits near schools, parks etc to be reduced, perhaps at certain times of day only with flashing warning signs. (e.g. 20 mph outside all schools). These speed limits may be variable at times when the school is not in use.
· Move to variable penalty points. Points would range from 1 point to 6 points. Standard fine to remain. Bans for excessive speeds would remain.
· Extend driver education programmes for those caught speeding. Any offender with less than six points will have one opportunity to take a driver awareness course, paid for by the cost of the fine, rather than have points on their licence.
· Revenue generated from cameras to be spent on road safety, including alternatives to cameras, such as flashing electronic displays. Communities would be encouraged to bid for money for placing such displays where residents want them.
· More active traffic policing – we want intelligent policing and intelligent drivers.
· Abolish camera partnerships as an unnecessary tier of bureaucracy. Police to be responsible for enforcement.
· Every speed camera to have the speed limit sign clearly displayed on the camera, as well as on each speed camera warning sign.
· Change planning laws which prohibit the use of 30mph repeater signs, to allow clearer indication of speed limits on all roads.
From Conservatives.com