A9 Speed cameras: EIR release

FOI reference: FOI/17/02660
Date received: 6 November 2017
Date responded: 30 November 2017

Information requested

• How many average speed cameras are on the A9?

• How many average speed cameras are on theA9 between Perth and Inverness?

• Of these cameras, on average, how many of them are switched off? Please provide an annual break down forevery year since the cameras were installed, including 2017 so far.

• Why are speed cameras switched off?

• How much money has been saved, if any, each year (including 2017 so far) by switching off speed cameras?

• How much money has been spent each year (including 2017 so far) on running the cameras on the A9? Please include running costs, maintence, issuing fines etc.

• How much has been earned each year (including 2017 so far) through fines issued from the A9 speed cameras?"

Response

As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

I have numbered our response for ease of reference.

1 and 2. On the A9 there are presently 49 average speed camera sites.

3. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Transport Scotland does not have the information you have requested. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. The reason why that exception applies is the operational management of safety cameras is a matter for Police Scotland. You may wish to contact Police Scotland at foi@scotland.pnn.police.uk who may be able to help you.

4. Safety cameras are rotated on a priority basis to ensure casualty and collision reduction potential is maximised. Although all cameras may not always be active, their appearance to the motorist is unchanged and they continue to positively influence driver behaviour.

5. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Transport Scotland does not have the information you have requested. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. The reason why that exception applies is the operational management of safety cameras is a matter for Police Scotland. As explained in point 3 of this response, you may wish to contact Police Scotland.

Safety cameras aim to encourage better speed limit compliance which leads to fewer camera detections, fewer fines for drivers and ultimately fewer people being killed or injured on Scotland's roads.

6. The total capital and maintenance costs associated with the A9 average speed camera system totals £3.28m. These costs are paid for by Transport Scotland as the Trunk Road Authority.

7. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Transport Scotland does not have the information you have requested. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. The reason why that exception applies is that the enforcement of fines is a matter for Police Scotland. You may wish to contact Police Scotland at foi@scotland.pnn.police.uk who may be able to help you.

However, Average speed cameras on the A9 has encouraged improved driver behaviour and better speed limit compliance. This continues to lead to fewer camera detections, fewer penalty points, fewer drivers fined, and ultimately reduce the number of people being killed or injured on Scotland's roads.

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