It is exactly the sheer number of cameras on British roads that has prompted road safety minister Mike Penning into announcing an unprecedented move: the performances of the cameras (how many drivers they caught breaking the law and what amount of money it raised from fines) will be made public.
“For the first time people will be able to see whether their local cameras are really cutting accidents or just being used as cash cows," a Whitehall source was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
The decision to make this details public in the near future comes after more and more concerned voices began saying that cameras are, at least some, just a clever way for British authorities to make some more money.
The camera installed in Battersea, London for instance makes GBP1 million a year ($1.58 million, EUR1.13 million) from fines handed to anyone who stops in the junction for more than 5 seconds. Unfortunately, most drivers who pass through there do stick around for more than five seconds because of the heavy traffic in the area.
The information about cameras that will be made public will also include data regarding the accident rates in a region, the vehicle speeds and even the number of people who have been offered training instead of points on their license.
"Public bodies should be accountable and if taxpayers' money is being spent on speed cameras then it is right that information about their effectiveness is available to the public," Mike Penning added.
According to the information available, a system will be in place for all the data to become public in April next year.
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