TRAFFIC safety cameras along the notorious Haughley Bends have helped reduce the number of serious accidents by half.In the three-year period prior to the cameras being installed there were 11 people either killed or seriously injured along the stretch of road.
TRAFFIC safety cameras along the notorious Haughley Bends have helped reduce the number of serious accidents by half.
In the three-year period prior to the cameras being installed there were 11 people either killed or seriously injured along the stretch of road.
However, the cameras at Haughley have now been active for three years and the number of people killed or seriously injured has been reduced to five. Cameras on the A12 at Benhall and A140 at Coddenham are showing similar reductions in accidents.
Terry Marsh, Project Manager for Suffolk SafeCam, which manages the cameras, said: "This is very encouraging news and proves that cameras are effective at reducing the number of accidents.
"We expect these figures to be repeated at other camera sites around the county with an estimated saving of around 60 accidents per year ".
Peter Monk, of Suffolk County Council's Executive Committee, added: "The figures to date from Haughley, Coddenham and Benhall will make a significant contribution to the government target of reducing the number of killed or seriously injured casualties by 40 per cent by 2010.
"The locations of the cameras are widely publicised, so our objective is not to catch motorists out, but to save accidents by encouraging drivers to keep to speed limits."
Jeffrey Bowden, Chairman of Haughley Parish Council, believes local people approve of the cameras and said the reduction in accidents is "excellent news".
He said: "It's important people keep to the speed limit at all times, the cameras are located there for a very good reason."
There are eight fixed camera sites and 41 locations where mobile enforcement takes place in Suffolk.
Safety cameras can only be located at sites with a history of killed or seriously injured casualties.
WEBLINK
www.suffolksafecam.co.uk
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