A little place in Britain called Swindon has just voted the unplugging of all speed cameras and stop its 320,000 pound grant that financed their operation and installation. This money was supposed to pay for the installation and running of 5 fixed cameras that will now removed within six months.
The city officials say that the money will be put to “more effective” uses, and we think any use will be more effective than hounding motorists on the road. They said something about better lighting and vehicle-activated signs and we say “hallelujah!”.
City councilor Peter Greenhalgh said that “Speed cameras are NOT reducing the number of people being killed – in fact it is on the increase. Statistics show only six per cent of deaths are caused by speeding. Why are we putting most of the money we have for safety into an area that effects only six percent of drivers? It's crazy”.
But don't go thinking that there won't be anyone watching the roads in Swindon. Eight vans and three motorcycles will continue to scan the horizon for speeders that might endanger their lives and the lives of other people in traffic.
Meanwhile, the local safety charity was “appalled” by the council's decision and accused them of “entering into a very dangerous experiment with lives”. The council countered that the cameras are nothing more than “cash cows” devices that make money for the Government.
We think the numbers tend to speak for themselves and that the council made a sensitive decision. At least this will stop the current wave of violent acts against speed cameras that has been recently noticed in Britain.
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