Time to review speed limits (From Oxford Mail)

Time to review speed limits

10:00am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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EVER since safety cameras were introduced, critics have claimed they are a ‘cash machine for the police’.

If taking cameras out of use may help save public money, have these rude accusations been unfair and untrue all along?

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood claims there is not much evidence that safety cameras reduce accidents. Ed Vaizey says taking them out if use in Swindon has not noticeably reduced road safety. Are these Conservative MPs suggesting our Conservative county council was wrong to support the cameras’ installation?

People have probably been speeding on the straight stretch of the A4074 through Nuneham Courtenay ever since it was turnpiked in 1736.

The safety camera that has enforced the 30mph limit in recent years has protected not only villagers but also those of us who want to respect the limit without being tail-gated.

The camera has done its job. For example, in 2006 it caught a motorcyclist doing a 61mph wheelie while making an obscene gesture at the camera.

He had removed his bike’s registration plate but police still identified him and got him prosecuted.

I support villagers’ offer to adopt the camera (Wednesday’s Oxford Mail). Some cameras elsewhere in our county may also deserve adoption.

However, cameras are only as justified as the limits they enforce. Now is a good time to review how many of Oxfordshire’s 50mph limits were motivated by politics or safety dogma.

Those 50mph limits that have failed to reduce casualties should be restored to 60 as soon as possible.

HUGH JAEGER, Oxfordshire area representative, British Motorcyclists Federation, Park Close, Oxford