History
Detection of speeding by means of cameras was first introduced into the UK in 1992 and mobile speed cameras have been used in the Central Scotland Police area since early 1995.
In the first full year after the introduction of safety cameras in Central Scotland, the number of people killed on Central Scotland's roads fell from 23 in 1994 to 11 in 1996. This reduction is a very large drop but it must be viewed in the context of fatalities being thankfully a small number and it being part of a continuing downward trend. This decline both in numbers and severity is likely to be partly attributable to the substantial efforts put into collision reduction between 1980 and the present day by the former Central Regional Council, the present authorities of Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling Councils, Central Scotland Police, Forth Valley NHS Board, road safety researchers and vehicle manufacturers. The use by Central Scotland Police of cameras for speed enforcement is likely to have played its part in this reduction.
Before the launch of the Safety Camera Partnerships, the Treasury retained all revenue from fixed penalties. In 2002, the Government approved a new arrangement, which enables Safety Camera Partnerships to recover operational costs directly associated to camera sites that have a proven history of a number of people killed and/or seriously injured, evidence of speeding vehicles or circumstances where both vehicle and road users alike are at greater risk.
In 2000, eight pilot partnership areas were established across the UK, one in Strathclyde. All have shown that through increased camera enforcement activity, savings have been achieved for their communities in terms of reduced casualty numbers. Following on from the success of the pilot schemes, safety camera partnerships have been established across the UK. Additional activity and equipment has been totally funded through the fines paid by offenders.