Average speed camera checks could be introduced on rural roads and built-up areas across North Yorkshire, it has emerged.
While authorities in the county have repeatedly ruled out using fixed speed cameras as a deterrent, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Philip Allott, has told highways bosses he is considering the system with a view to prosecuting more speeding drivers.
Mr Allott previously said he had concerns over North Yorkshire Police’s 12 mobile speed camera vans, which were introduced in 2011, and that getting to grips with the issue was among his highest priorities.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways, said he would support average speed cameras because they would be more effective in making drivers comply with the limit.
He added average speed cameras would be suitable for any road and any speed limit.
Cllr Mackenzie said:
“I think it is a better idea than fixed speed cameras because when people get to know where they are they simply slow down near the camera and speed up afterwards. They are not a particularly good deterrent for people who know the area.
“Clearly this is something for the North Yorkshire Police to decide to do and I’m sure if they do decide to introduce a regime of average speed cameras they will come to us and ask for our views. I am a supporter of anything that deters speeding.”
His comments came after leading councillors questioned whether the force’s speed camera vans were frequently located at predictable locations, reducing their effectiveness.
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Cost of cameras coming down
While the county council has been urged to help redesign roads to reduce injury accidents, senior county councillors questioned whether focusing more on other driving offences, such as illegal parking, and less on speeding would lead to fewer road collisions.
Average speed cameras have become a common sight on motorways and A-roads since they were first used in the UK in 2000. Motoring analysts say the cameras are increasingly sited in 30mph zones.
The cost of average speed cameras has fallen significantly in recent years and with increases in technology, the two cameras can be as little as 75m apart. Supporters of the system claim the only way drivers can guarantee to avoid average speed camera fines is to comply with the limit.
RAC Foundation research, published in 2016 focusing on 25 average speed camera sites, found they led to a 36% reduction in the rate of fatal and serious collisions in the post-installation period.
