--- From: "Diamond, Richard" <Richard.Diamondat_private> To: Subject: 4000 injured/killed by UK speed cameras Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 20:52:57 -0400 As reported in the London Sunday Times, the number of UK drivers injured or killed in accidents has risen by 4,000 since 1997, despite the massive expansion of Britain's photo radar program in the past five years. The latest UK figures show that road deaths rose from 3,409 in 2000 to 3,443 in 2001. The biggest rise was in the number of children killed - up 14% to 218. Had the opposite been the case, you'd hear all about the great success of their camera program. The fact is, accidents are up both in the UK and Australia, despite (or, rather, because of) the widespread use of speed cameras Speed camera profits are at an all time high as well. The full text of the article appears below. Richard Diamond Office of the Majority Leader U.S. House of Representatives 202-225-6007 / www.freedom.gov --- Sunday Times (London) June 16, 2002, Sunday Drivers face new onslaught of road bumps and speed cameras Jonathan Leake and Rachel Dobson A SHARP increase in the number of road humps, speed cameras, bends and other obstacles for drivers is being proposed by a powerful committee of MPs. The same committee, whose proposals will be published this week, wants drivers who break speed limits to be subjected to tougher penalties enforced by a fresh influx of speed cameras. Under the proposed changes, police and local authorities could get the power to install cameras in places they deem to be dangerous - even if no accidents have happened. In many areas speed limits could also be cut to as little as 20mph. Critics of the proliferation of speed cameras accuse the government of using them primarily as a means of revenue. The money made from speed camera fines has doubled to Pounds 25m a year since Labour took office in 1997. Last week figures were published which showed that road deaths rose from 3,409 in 2000 to 3,443 in 2001 - with 1,200 linked to speeding. The biggest rise was in the number of children killed - up 14% to 218. The government had pledged to cut accident rates. Drivers' groups argue that the introduction of speed cameras since Labour came to power has had almost no effect on reducing the number of road deaths except at some well known accident black spots. In fact, a parliamentary answer revealed that the number of drivers injured or killed in accidents has risen by 4,000 since 1997. [...] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Like Politech? Make a donation here: http://www.politechbot.com/donate/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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