Cameras piloted on N Yorks bike routes
Added on Thursday, June 30th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Cameras piloted on N Yorks bike routes
Police in North Yorkshire will be using speed cameras for the first time this summer as part of a six-month pilot scheme designed to cut the number of motorcycle fatalities.
The force will utilise a mobile camera on routes across the country, with the technology capable of detecting the speed of a vehicle up to 1,000 metres away. The camera also captures 360 degree images of the location, allowing the force to identify motorcycle riders via registration plates and a high quality image of the rider.
The camera, which is being rolled out in partnership with thee “95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, can also detect mobile phone and seatbelt offences.
The force claims that the introduction of cameras is in response to the death of 20 bikers on the county’s roads during 2010, a figure that the force described as “unacceptable”.
The force added that casualty data had revealed that excessive or inappropriate speed has been responsible for 24% of all road deaths in North Yorkshire over the past three years.
The cameras will be deployed on routes popular with motorcyclists from Friday 1 July, including the A64 between Scarborough, Malton and York, the A171 between Whitby and the Cleveland border, the A171 from Scarborough to Whitby, A169 from Pickering to Whitby and the B1257 between Helmsley and Stokesley.
Up to now, North Yorkshire had been the only region not to have used either fixed or mobile speed cameras as part of its road safety strategy.
Tim Madgwick, North Yorkshire Police’s temporary Deputy Chief Constable, who is also the chair of the “95 Alive” partnership, said: “The decision by North Yorkshire Police to introduce the safety cameras in the area is first and foremost about reducing deaths and serious injury on our roads.
“There has been much criticism of safety cameras over the years. However, my message to those who are against them is: Stop and think about the 36 people who have been killed on our roads over the last three years because of excessive or inappropriate speed. Not to mention the hundreds who have been injured.
“It is a fact that speed kills, no ifs or buts about it, and we are determined to reduce the casualty toll on our roads.
“The simple advice is – don’t speed, you will not be caught and our roads will be safer.”
Mr Madgwick added: “Safety cameras are a first for North Yorkshire Police, being the only area in the country not to have fixed or mobile cameras. We are confident that this new development will help us to drive down deaths and serious injuries further. This will enable us to build on the relentless casualty reduction work already carried out under the “95 Alive” partnership.
“Mobile safety cameras have made a big impact on casualty reduction in other areas of the country and we are looking forward to seeing the positive results in our area.”
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