Even more average speed cameras on way – minister

A MASS expansion in the number of average speed cameras is being planned by the SNP Government.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said it should be ‘actively looking’ to introduce more of the cameras wherever they would be beneficial.

He claimed the introduction of cameras – dubbed ‘yellow vultures’ – in some areas had already helped cut speeding.

However, motoring groups say that the cameras should not be seen as the way to eliminate all road safety risks.

Mr Matheson said the introduction of average speed cameras on the A90 between Aberdeen and Stonehaven had reduced speeding.

‘The data is already demonstrating we are seeing greater levels of compliance with the speed limit – driver behaviour is improving,’ he said in an interview with the Scotsman newspaper.

‘So there’s no doubt that average speed cameras, used in an evidence-based and strategic way, can help to improve road safety on particular roads where there may be issues around driver behaviour and levels of collisions. I’m quite clear, at a strategic level, where they could have a benefit, then we should be actively looking to see whether they should be deployed in those areas.’

Average speed cameras have also already been introduced on other key roads.

The SNP’s manifesto for the 2016 Holyrood election contains a commitment for an expansion in the number of such cameras.

It states: ‘Since introducing the average speed camera programme on the A77, the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities has reduced considerably.

‘We will refresh this programme and continue to consider rolling out programmes in communities blighted by accidents and unsafe driving.’

Mr Matheson admitted that in some cases it might be more appropriate to redesign a road or junctions. Neil Greig, policy and research director at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said: ‘We will always support an evidenceled approach to the use of average speed cameras.

‘However, on their own, they will never eliminate all crashes and there is much work still to be done to make Scotland’s roads as safe as possible.

‘Average speed cameras will never fully protect drivers using inherently dangerous junctions on high-speed roads, for example at Laurencekirk (on the A90) or Auchterarder (on the A9), where grade-separated junctions are long overdue.’

He said cameras could not compensate for a lack of safe overtaking opportunities or stop fatiguerelated incidents caused by poor service facilities on trunk roads. Mr Greig added that problems caused by drivers willing to break the law ‘can only be stopped by a higher traffic police presence’.

‘Never eliminate all crashes’