Automobile News

Speed cameras, the nemesis of most British drivers. Originally invoked to help improve road safety and lower traffic accidents, many suspect the speed cameras are nothing but another tax grab on the part of the government. It seems that even some local governments feel this way as well, including Swindon council chiefs who claim they never receive any of the revenue generated from the infamous cameras. Indeed, all proceeds from the speed traps are directly funnelled into the treasury, bypassing not only local government, but also any funding for traffic police, improving roads, or other traffic safety measures. Deciding to stand up to what they view as an indirect tax on drivers, councillors in Swindon are trying to ban speed cameras altogether in favour of other less expensive ways of ensuring road safety.

The council chiefs estimate that speed cameras cost local residents up to £400,000 per year, and we can only imagine what the national figure is. Given that all of these funds flow out of the city and directly into the government coffers, the local government feels the money could be better spent. They want to completely scrap the speed cameras and instead use a portion of the money typically generated by the cameras for cheaper, and more effective, road safety enforcement. Some suggested alternatives include speed bumps and electronic warning signs. However, local MPs fired back by saying the speed cameras do actually increase road safety and that councillors were “playing politics with lives” by suggesting their removal. Supporters of the cameras also point to statistics that show cameras have reduced traffic accidents and fatalities by 65.6%. Apparently, the battle to remove speed cameras remains far from over.