Reducing traffic accidents by carrying out speed checks,
using safety cameras, and encouraging people to reduce their
driving speeds.
Safety cameras are operated
by Suffolk SafeCam, which is a partnership
between Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Police, Suffolk
Magistrates, Crown Prosecution Service, the Highways Agency and
Ipswich NHS hospital. The scheme is designed to make Suffolk
roads safer by reducing road casualties caused by excessive vehicle
speed. Enforcement is by fixed and mobile cameras at targeted
locations.
The purpose of safety cameras is to change driver behaviour -
they are only used when people break speed limits. When this
happens a camera detects the offence and provides evidence for a
fixed penalty notice.
Drivers who choose to go over the legal speed limits will have
to pay a minimum penalty of £60 and three penalty points on their
driving licence.
It has been proved nationally that traffic cameras can reduce
the number of road crashes and protect road users by encouraging
people to drive more slowly.
In 2000, eight pilot camera partnerships were established in
Great Britain. In the first year of the pilot 47 per cent fewer
people were killed or seriously injured at safety camera sites, and
there were 35 per cent fewer crashes and an 18 per cent area wide
reduction in casualties.
The second year results showed a 35 per cent reduction in the
number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads at camera
locations, and a 56 per cent reduction in the number of pedestrian
casualties at the same sites. There was a 10 per cent reduction in
average speeds in the areas monitored.
All queries relating to the location and use of safety cameras in
Suffolk should be directed
to Suffolk SafeCam.