Drivers want more average speed cameras

MOST Scottish drivers prefer average speed cameras on motorways to fixed ones, new research reveals.

A survey by the RAC found that 60 per cent of motorists support wider use of the devices, despite more than half admitting to breaking the 70mph speed limit.

There are currently nine sets of permanent average speed cameras across Scotland. Dubbed ‘yellow vultures’, they work by recording the speed of a car between at least two linked cameras and working out the mean. If this exceeds a set baseline, the driver is fined.

A survey of more than 3,000 motorists in the UK found that average speed cameras are the best way to ensure speed compliance on motorways.

Less than a fifth of respondents in Scotland said they would like to see more fixed speed cameras, while 58 per cent admitted to breaking 70mph, with some hitting speeds of more than 100mph.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: ‘With so many motorists admitting to driving much faster than they should, it was interesting to see such strong support for average speed cameras.

‘We believe drivers see these cameras as being very effective at reducing speeds over longer distances and controlling traffic flow, as well as being fairer than fixed position ones as they aren’t instantly punished for a momentary transgression.’