Scotland’s Chief Statistician today announced the release of Key Scottish Safety Camera Programme Statistics 2010. This report shows that the average number of people killed or seriously injured at safety camera sites between 2008 and 2010 is 63 per cent lower than the three-year baseline averages recorded since the start of the programme.

In comparison, the number of people killed or seriously injured on all of Scotland’s roads between 2008 and 2010 is 44 per cent lower than the 1997-1999 average. This shows that the use of safety cameras is an effective road safety tool, helping to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Scotland’s roads.

Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2009 reports the estimated average cost of:

• an injury accident to be over £83,000
• a serious accident to be over £208,000
• a fatal accident to be over £1,800,000

By the end of 2010 there were over 500 fewer personal injury accidents including over 170 fewer fatal or serious accidents at safety camera sites per year.

In 2010/2011 the Scottish Government invested £6.5m in the Safety Camera Programme.

Anneline Wilson, Communications Officer for the Tayside Safety Camera Partnership said, “This statistical bulletin shows that our partnership approach of government, police and roads authorities is delivering the benefits of safety cameras by helping to save lives and by reducing the financial impact of road collisions on the Scottish economy.  As there is no link between the funding of cameras and the number of offenders detected, the Bulletin demonstrates clearly that the aim is to reduce the number of motorists willing to risk the safety of others. Safety Cameras are funded through a grant from the Scottish Government in the interests of making communities stronger and safer by deterring speeding and red light running.”

Kathleen Braidwood, ROSPA Road Safety Officer said, “With an average of ten fewer accidents involving injuries every week at safety camera sites, it is clear that cameras are helping to reduce the misery caused by crashes across Scotland. The use of cameras is part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent speed-related accidents across Scotland, involving many partners and a variety of approaches.”

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The full statistical publication can be accessed at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/SafeCam

The main aims of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme are to:

• reduce the number of people killed and injured on the roads
• help raise public awareness of the issues and dangers of inappropriate speed
• make speeding as socially unacceptable as drink driving
• change long-term driver behaviour in relation to speeding and red light running.

Safety cameras in Scotland are operated by eight Partnerships under the umbrella of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme.  The Partnerships include local authorities, Police Forces, the NHS, Fire and Rescue Services and the Scottish Government.

The Partnerships were launched as follows:

Strathclyde April 2000
Fife April 2002
NESCAMP October 2002
Dumfries and Galloway July 2003
Lothian and Borders July 2003 
Tayside July 2003 
Northern July 2004 
Central April 2006

Issued: Wednesday 27th July 2011

For further information contact:

TSCP Communications Officer
Anneline Wilson
01382 596363
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