Central Safety Cameras News

Safety camera deployment w/c 21st May

2012-05-14T14:07:00+00:00

During the week commencing Monday 21st May 2012, mobile safety cameras will be operating at the following locations:

A908 Sauchie

A907 Cambus

A9 Dunblane

A908 Devonside

M9 Kinnaird

M9 Polmont

A706 Linlithgow Road, Bo’ness

M80 Dunipace

A993 Dean Road, Bo’ness

A82 Crianlarich

A811 Polrogan

A811 Gargunnock

A811 Kippen

A811 Arnprior

A811 Buchlyvie

A811 Allan Water

A811 Drymen

A84 Blair Drummond

A84 Lanrick

A84 Cambusmore Quarry

A84 Runacraig

A85 Portnellan

A82 Strathfillan House

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership manager, Neil MacSporran said: “Speed limits should not be seen as the speed you have to travel at but as the maximum speed permitted for that particular stretch of road. In a built up area there may be occasions where it would not be appropriate to drive at 30mph due to increased hazards, including the potential presence of young children playing, pedestrians, cyclists and of course other motorists who might make sudden or unexpected manoeuvres. “I advise motorists to drive at a speed that they feel comfortable at and not to feel pressure to speed up from other road users.”

Safety camera deployment w/c 14th May

2012-05-07T12:32:00+00:00

During the week commencing Monday 14th May 2012, mobile safety cameras will be operating at the following locations:

A908 Sauchie

A907 Cambus

A9 Dunblane

A908 Devonside

M9 Kinnaird

M9 Polmont

A706 Linlithgow Road, Bo’ness

M80 Dunipace

A993 Dean Road, Bo’ness

A82 Crianlarich

A811 Polrogan

A811 Gargunnock

A811 Kippen

A811 Arnprior

A811 Buchlyvie

A811 Allan Water

A811 Drymen

A84 Blair Drummond

A84 Lanrick

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership manager, Neil MacSporran said: “It’s a busy time of the year for those working in the agricultural industry and as a result there are many slow moving agricultural vehicles on the roads. If you come across these types of vehicles whilst out driving my advice is to: slow down, keep back, don’t get frustrated and only over take when it is safe to do so.”

Safety cameras enforcing speed limit at roadworks

2011-11-24T15:05:00+00:00

Motorists should be aware that Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership are enforcing the temporary 40MPH speed limit between Grangemouth and Kinnaird on the M9, Edinburgh to Perth motorway whilst resurfacing and barrier replacements are being carried out.

Neil MacSporran, Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership manager said:

“The speed limit has been reduced for the safety of all road users and I’d advise all motorists to comply with the reduced speed limit for the duration of the road works.”

Safety Camera locations announced on Twitter

2011-08-03T08:21:00+00:00

Central Scotland, Lothian and Borders and Tayside Safety Camera Partnerships are now using Twitter to inform motorists where safety cameras are located at the touch of a button.

Each week the three Partnerships will Tweet the locations of mobile safety cameras, as well as information on road safety events and campaigns. By using Twitter to publicise the locations on a weekly basis the Partnerships are embracing social networking which is becoming an increasingly popular platform for reaching more people with information.

Mobile safety cameras are deployed at locations where there is a history of accidents and speeding, with the sole aim of reducing the number of collisions and casualties. Recent figures show that safety cameras have reduced the number of people killed or seriously injured at camera sites across Scotland by 63%. The Scottish Safety Camera Partnerships currently publicise the locations of their cameras in the local media and on their websites each week. The use of Twitter provides another way for people to access this information.

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership manager, Neil MacSporran said: “By tweeting we are offering those who currently access social media quick and up to date safety camera information. People should not be surprised that we are telling drivers where the cameras will be, as we want motorists to think about their driving and reduce their speed rather than detect them speeding. I would ask that all road users drive within the speed limit to help make the roads safer for all.”

The use of social media channels such as Twitter are already widely used by many organisations and agencies across Scotland, including police authorities, as another channel of communication and as a way of reaching a wider audience.

To receive the Partnership’s tweets log onto www.twitter.com and follow:

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership hash tag #csscpcomms,

Lothian and Borders Safety Camera Partnership hash tag #Lbcameras

Tayside Safety Camera Partnership hash tag #safetayside.

Vehicle Logbook Scheme Success

2010-11-02T12:36:00+00:00

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership is delighted with the response they have received from businesses in the area who have ordered vehicle log books and are now using them as part of their every day working activities. The books were supplied free of charge and help businesses to comply with the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Since the scheme was launched in March 2009 over 500 of the log books have been distributed to businesses across the area. A wide range of businesses have benefitted from the scheme, from electricians to guest houses and joiners to distribution companies. Log books can still be ordered online at www.transportlog.co.uk .

Each log book contains:

A vehicle log sheet and pen
An A4 master log sheet
An A4 poster
Speed table sticker for display in vehicles
Useful tips to avoid speeding
Information on stopping distances

Kathleen Grant, Communications Officer for Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership said "Vehicle log books are an excellent tool to help businesses comply with legislation and at the same time encourage drivers to monitor their driving habits. The feedback we have received has been very positive." Comments received from companies using the log books include "my staff like them and they’re easy to use", and "the logbook is a great way to keep track of how the vehicle is being looked after". The logbooks were also eagerly accepted by Health and Safety professionals attending the Scottish Health and Safety Exhibition 2010 in September.

Under Section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is the responsibility of the registered keeper of the vehicle to know at all times who is driving it. Failure to comply with the legislation could mean a substantial fine and penalty points added to the driving licence of the registered keeper.

Safety cameras helping to save lives and money

2010-10-20T13:12:00+00:00

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today announced the release of Key Scottish Safety Camera Programme Statistics 2009. This report shows that the average number of people killed or seriously injured at safety camera sites between 2007 and 2009 is 56 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 2007 and 2009 is 38 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 2008 reports the estimated average cost of:

* an injury accident to be over £96,000

* a serious accident to be over £218,000

* a fatal accident to be over £1,900,000

By the end of 2009 there were over 400 fewer personal injury accidents and over 170 fewer fatal or serious accidents at safety camera sites per year.

In 2009 the Scottish Government invested £6.5m in the Safety Camera Programme.

The Scottish Safety Camera Programme Director, Jim Dale said: "This statistical report illustrates that the Scottish Safety Camera Programme is delivering excellent value for money. Not only are we helping to save lives but we are also reducing the financial impact of road collisions on the Scottish economy."

Safety cameras change driver behaviour

2010-10-12T09:01:01+00:00

A recent independent survey, commissioned by the Scottish Safety Camera Programme, has confirmed that safety cameras are having a positive effect on driver behaviour. 800 drivers, across Scotland, were asked for their opinions on safety cameras and speed related issues. The survey concluded that awareness and understanding of safety cameras is high with the majority of motorists saying that being detected speeding by cameras has changed the way they drive for the better.

91% of speeding offenders stated they were more aware of their speed as a result of being detected and 39% said they no longer speed.

When asked what makes drivers speed, almost half of the respondents said that they believed it was because they were either in a rush or impatient.

The Scottish Safety Camera Programme Director, Jim Dale said: "We are encouraged by the results of this survey; it demonstrates that the public are supportive of safety cameras. People believe that if they speed they will arrive at their destination quicker, in reality they will probably only save a couple of minutes but in the process they are putting themselves and other road users at risk. Whatever the argument for or against safety cameras; the fact is that speeding is dangerous, antisocial and illegal."

The survey also looked at what would help prevent drivers speeding in the future and the top two responses were for more driver training and more safety cameras.

Jim Dale continued: "The work of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme is not just about enforcing speed limits, a great deal of work is undertaken to educate drivers about speed limits and the dangers of inappropriate speed.

"Regrettably, a high proportion of the public still believe that safety cameras are there to make money. This is not the case, since April 2007, safety cameras north of the border have been funded directly from the Scottish Government and all fine revenue goes directly to the UK Treasury in Westminster."

The survey illustrates that there is still further work to be done to educate drivers about speed limits. 1 in 10 drivers believe that the speed limit for a car travelling on a single carriageway road is 70 mph, a whole 10 mph above the national speed limit.

The research also identified that three quarters of respondents regularly see safety cameras at the roadside. This includes fixed cameras, mobile cameras and average speed cameras. The main aim of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme is to influence driver behaviour by the targeted enforcement of speed limits at locations where there is a history of fatal and serious accidents and also an identified problem with speeding.

Kathleen Braidwood, road safety officer at RoSPA Scotland, added: "Drivers need to appreciate that when they see a safety camera sign they are on a stretch of road that needs particular care as there will have been a high number of serious crashes. We fully support safety cameras as part of the solution to making our roads safer for all."

A84 / A85 / A82 Speed Cameras Operating

2010-06-17T14:29:00+00:00

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership is supporting Central Scotland Police Road Policing Unit Seasonal Road Safety Strategy along the A84 / A85 / A82 Stirling to Tyndrum road. The partnership will be enforcing the speed limits at various locations along the route.

The partnership currently operates two mobile camera units at twelve sites within the Districts of Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling and a route strategy along the A811 Stirling to Dumbarton road. All sites have proven incidences of collisions and excessive speed. The partnerships Data Analyst continually researches routes within this area where there is the opportunity of influencing vehicle speed and casualty reduction. Analysis has shown that during the period 2004 to 2009 there were 96 recorded killed and serious injury collisions on the Stirling to Tyndrum road, with 70% occurring during the summer months and many involving motorcyclists.

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership Manager, Neil MacSporran said, "The partnership has identified 10 sample sites along the A84/A85/A82 Stirling to Tyndrum road where enforcement will commence. The sites are located at:

A84 - Blair Drummond
A84 - Lanrick
A84 - Cambusmore Quarry
A84 - Strathyre
A84 - Runacraig
A85 - Lochearnhead
A85 - Loch Lubhair
A85 - Portnellan
A82 - Strathfillan House
A82 - Tyndrum

Although initial enforcement will take place at the sites mentioned above, enforcement can take place at any point along the route. However by highlighting the road and the sample locations, the partnership hope to educate and influence biker and driver behaviour, thereby encouraging all road users to drive within the speed limits. "

Chief Inspector Kevin Findlater, Dunblane Sub Area Commander of Central Scotland Police said, "I know from meetings with the affected communities how seriously concerned they are about the speed of vehicles on these roads; whilst safety is their primary concern the inevitable disruption that vehicle collisions have on local services cannot be understated. Consequently, I welcome this proven partnership approach to further improving road safety."

Chief Inspector Donald McMillan, head of the Road Policing Unit in Central Scotland Police said, "Central Scotland Police welcome the enhancement work of the Safety Camera Partnership to this Seasonal Road Safety Strategy. We will work closely with the partnership to educate motorists and bikers to drive safely within the speed limits. "

Postcards provide driving advice for visitors

2010-04-27T13:42:00+00:00

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership today launched a postcard, containing road safety information and advice on speed limits.

The postcards are freely available from tourist locations across the area and from Visitor Information Centers. On the back of the postcard, visitors are provided with a speed limit table and road safety do’s and don’ts.

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership manager, Neil MacSporran said, "The postcards are designed to ensure that visitors to the Central Scotland area are fully informed of the speed limits and provided with advice on road safety. Tourists can often be unfamiliar with the nature of roads in the area and foreign drivers can be unsure of road signs and different speed limits. Of course, we want everyone who visits the Central Scotland area to have a wonderful time, and we want their trip to be safe."

Central Scotland Police, head of Road Policing, Chief Inspector McMillan said, "The Central Scotland area benefits substantially from tourism and summer travel naturally results in higher numbers of motorists who may be unfamiliar with our roads and traffic legislation. Central Scotland Police support the Partnership’s campaign and we will continue in our efforts to ensure that road safety messages get through to all motorists using our roads."

motorcyclists safety campaign revs up

2010-03-24T13:00:00+00:00

Encouraging bikers to ride safely on key routes in Central Scotland is the aim behind a new initiative which has been launched.

Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership and Central Scotland Police are working together to engage with motorcyclists and encourage responsible behaviour whilst enjoying some of the most popular routes in the country.

Based on the 'Around the Corner' initiative, two new route maps form part of an interactive campaign developed for bikers by bikers and focuses on encouraging riders to hone their skills through education and engagement. The maps highlight the areas where added skill and attentions may be required.

The aim is to increase biker safety and skills awareness with the objective being to reduce the number of casualties on the road network. Last year in Central Scotland, 11 people were fatally injured on roads in the force area, six of those were motorcyclists.

The new route maps cover two of the most popular routes for motorcyclists. The area has many scenic roads, which have been recognised for years as popular amongst bikers: The Gateway Run (54 miles, Stirling-Tyndrum: A84/A85/A82) and the Dukes Run (51 miles, loop starting and ending in Stirling using A84/A821/A81 and A873).

To view the maps click Download PDF link. Full details of the Around the Corner campaign, which will feature maps from around the country, can be accessed at www.aroundthecorner.org.uk. You can also access information on Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership, how it operates and camera sites at www.centralsafetycameras.co.uk.

Motorcycle officers will also be out and about on the key routes over the coming months, engaging with bikers ensuring they enjoy their ride in Central Scotland, but enjoy it safely.

Chief Inspector Donald McMillan, head of Roads Policing, said: "Central Scotland is a big attraction for motorcyclists due to the nature of the roads, particularly to the west and north of Stirling. We want to encourage people to come and enjoy everything the area has to offer visitors, but to do so safely. We want riders to go home at the end of the day not having been involved in a road traffic collision of any kind and by highlighting the areas where extra care and attention may be required, hopefully we can all help to reduce the number of injuries on the roads. This is about interacting with bikers and encouraging them to be safe in our area.

"Enforcement will still be there, as it is for any other road user who does not adhere to the law, but the focus is very much on positive engagement."

Neil MacSporran, Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership manager, said: "The vast majority of bikers who come to this area are responsible and respect the roads and road users. Unfortunately a minority seem to think the Highway Code does not apply to them and as a result their driving behaviour can place both their lives, and other road users, at risk. A significant number of motorcycle collisions involve only one vehicle and take place on bends. Our message is simple: enjoy the routes and what they offer, but acknowledge your own ability and keep within speed limits."