Swindon Borough Council could become the first local authority in Britain to scrap speed cameras and spend its £400,000 road safety budget on other initiatives.
Amid growing claims that the speed cameras are a ‘blatant tax’ on motorists and there are much better ways to improve road safety, the council will make a decision in September.
the money they contribute goes straight into the Government’s pockets
Among the measures considered more likely to improve road safety are activated warning signs, better road engineering including improving road designs particularly on bad bends, easing cambers, assessing speed limits, driver education and improved training for new drivers.
The AA said the council’s stance - thought to be the first time a local authority has challenged the Government on the issue - could spark a national backlash against speed cameras.
So why have Swindon taken this rather drastic step? They believe that designing safer roads in the first place is a better deterrent than catching drivers who may well be speeding but in fact are not driving dangerously.
Swindon Council claims the money they contribute goes straight into the Government’s pockets.
They subsequently feel that this money should be spent on a range of local safety measures which will be far more effective than speed cameras. They also feel the camera's and the revenue generated is a blatant tax on the motorist.
At last someone has seen the light
FemaleFirst Motoring Jackie Violet