Continuing Support for Safety Cameras in Dorset - 22nd June 2010

22 June 2010

                                            ****PRESS RELEASE****

Continuing Support for Safety Cameras in Dorset

An independent survey has found that 70% of Dorset’s residents support the use of safety cameras as a way of reducing collisions on our roads.

The survey of 1,000 residents has revealed widespread support for safety cameras in Dorset - with over half (58%) thinking vehicles are driven too fast in the area where they live.

83% of those surveyed felt drivers complying with speed limits will reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and two thirds (64%) recognised that safety cameras are there to encourage drivers to drive within the speed limit, not to punish them.

Johnny Stephens, Head of Fixed Penalties for the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, said: "The results of this survey clearly demonstrate that the majority of Dorset residents understand the primary aim of safety cameras is to reduce speeds and prevent collisions. It is also evident that they are as committed as us to reducing the number of casualties on our roads.”

Amongst those surveyed, speeding is considered to be the main cause of collisions (27%), followed by drivers using mobile phones (20%) and taking risks (15%). Distracted drivers (10%) and those being inconsiderate (10%) were also considered to be amongst the main reasons for collisions.

The research was carried out in March and April 2010 by independent survey company Newsquest Distribution Services.

Johnny continues: “We are pleased to see there is ongoing support for the use of safety cameras; however, we are not complacent and are continuing to work with our Partners to ensure the most appropriate road safety solutions are implemented on Dorset’s roads. 

“Since the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership was formed in 2002 there has been a 31% reduction in those being killed and seriously injured in collisions on Dorset’s roads.  While this does indicate some success, each and every one of them is an individual tragedy affecting many families, which all of us are working hard to further reduce.”

In addition to fixed safety cameras, the DSCP has been working with all councils and local residents across Dorset to identify areas where there are local speed issues. In many of these cases the concern is not that casualties have occurred but where it is felt that they could occur. 

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Notes to editors:

The Dorset Safety Camera Partnership

The Dorset Safety Camera Partnership, which was set up in August 2002, constitutes a partnership between Dorset County Council, Borough of Poole Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Dorset Police, NHS South West, Highways Agency, Her Majesty’s Courts Service and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Partnership, through a combination of measures including education, engineering and enforcement, is working together to reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on Dorset’s roads, as a consequence of both excess and inappropriate speed. 

It is responsible for the operation and maintenance of fixed site, mobile and red-light junction cameras throughout Dorset.