--- A new report (see article below) calculates that speed cameras will generate an extra $680 million for UK insurance companies this year. Companies will assess an average $332 extra per year for a motorist who receives a single camera ticket. Two tickets will cost an average of $870 more and a third means an extra $2,405. This is concrete evidence of the direct financial incentive that so-called "safety advocates" have to promote red light and speed camera technologies. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the leading U.S. proponent of the technology, is directly funded by the top 66 insurance companies. These companies stand to reap a similar windfall by hiking rates in California and Arizona where points are assessed for camera violations. Of course, police officials like one of D.C.'s top cops have openly said they'd like to give points for camera offenses. That's the billion dollar payoff to the supporters of this technology. --Richard Diamond Full article: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/business/articles/timid69666?source= Speed camera drivers' £1,500 bill 27 October 2003 BEING caught by speed cameras could cost up to £1,500 in insurance premiums, a report has revealed. Penalty points on a licence are seized upon by insurers, who are expected to make an extra £400m from drivers who get caught this year alone. The report shows that being snapped by the cameras means far more than three points and a £60 fine. The 'double whammy' comes when drivers have to tell insurance firms of any speeding offences during the last five years. Three points on a licence will mean the driver having to pay an average £196 'risk levy' over the five years on top of normal premiums. Motorists with six points will pay £512.85 extra, while those with nine points a staggering £1,419.40. The extra 'stealth' costs were found by Cyclops, which makes in-car speed camera detectors. The devices are legal because they alert drivers to the presence of cameras which - ministers and police insist - are safety measures to save lives, not raise money. A Cyclops spokesman said: 'Insurance premiums provide another sting in the tail of a speed camera endorsement. Until recently most insurers ignored one speeding conviction, classing them as minor infringements.' But following the speeding crackdown, he said, many insurers have started acting upon drivers who receive just one conviction. ... _______________________________________________ Politech mailing list Archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Moderated by Declan McCullagh (http://www.mccullagh.org/)
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