Key Scottish Safety Camera Programme Statistics, 2011

Introduction

This bulletin presents provisional key statistics relating to the activity of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme for the calendar year 2011. The two main objectives of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme are:

• To reduce the number of people killed or injured on Scotland's roads through targeted camera enforcement at sites that meet criteria in force at the time they are established, and;
• To engender a culture of speed limit and red traffic signal compliance by providing a visible and effective deterrent^[1].

The statistics contained within this bulletin describe:

• Accident and casualty numbers at safety camera sites, before and after camera enforcement.
• Speeds recorded at safety camera sites, before and after camera enforcement.
• The number of people caught exceeding the speed limit, or running red-lights, at safety camera sites.
• Public perception of safety cameras.

Summary of findings

• The number of people killed or seriously injured at safety camera sites is 68 per cent lower after camera enforcement. The number of personal injury accidents at safety camera sites is 48 per cent lower after enforcement (see Road Casualties).
• Changes in average speeds and the number of people exceeding the speed limit vary depending on speed limit and camera type (see Speed).
• From 2009-10 there has been a 16 per cent increase in the number of people issued with a fixed penalty after being caught exceeding the speed limit or running a red-light at a safety camera site. This is a reduction of 21 per cent from 2007-08 figures (see Offences).
• Around 71 per cent of respondents to the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2010-11 agree that safety cameras help discourage dangerous driving and help prevent accidents. 82 per cent think that people should see the use of road safety cameras as a good thing (see Public perception of safety cameras)