Dorset Secret Speed Camera Review

Description:

Dorset Secret Speed Camera Review

Police chiefs have been slammed by motoring organisations for refusing to disclose how much cash is generated by speed cameras in Dorset. A request for information about top-earning speed cameras from local newspaper, the Dorset Echo, has been refused because police are concerned that such cameras could become the target of vandailsm.

The request was made under the Freedom of Information Act, but Dorset Safety Camera Partnership staff conducted a "Harm & Public Interest Test" and concluded that if would "impact on the effectiveness" of the partnership.

Brian Austin, freedom of information manager said "I consider that if the locations of the top five speed camera sites were released for Dorset, this may impact on the effectiveness of the Road Safety Partnership by the destruction or damage to safety partnerships."

He went on to say "The partnership's sole aim is to make Dorset safer by encouraging driver's to keep within signed speed-limits, hence reducing speed, reducing collisions and reducing the number of people killed or injured and disclosure of the information would compromise this aim."  However the partnership did reveal that in 2007, 708 motorists were caught over a period of 4 days, by a mobile speed camera set up at the Tolpuddle Bypass generating revenue of £42,480.

Safe Speed representative Claire Armstrong said "Giving the information would question the police's system of reasoning that these are the most dangerous spots. We are calling for a complete  removal of speed cameras from the roads - they are not about road safety. There seem to be fewer reports about cameras being vandalised now - our message is getting through and people are campaigning properly."

The Dorset Safety Partnership's website lists all the fixed speed cameras in Dorset and provides a map of their location.

What do you think of speed cameras? Why not air your views about this subject or anything else by registering as a Member of the Guide2Dorset blog and enjoy many other features besides.