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Drivers in London are to be targeted by powerful new “stealth” speed cameras.
They are expected to dramatically increase the number of motorists caught breaking the law.
Motorists are already monitored by 700 speed and traffic light cameras in the capital, which this year will catch half a million motorists, raising £10million in fines. But from Monday they will also be targeted by new digital speed cameras.
These have proved highly effective at catching vast numbers of motorists on motorways elsewhere-in the country. Instead of trapping drivers at one point with “flash” photographs the device measures a car’s average speed over a set distance.
It is therefore impossible to slam on the brakes at the last second to avoid being caught.
The new cameras capture digital images without a flash and, because they use no film, can net thousands of vehicles a day.
Drivers discover they have been caught only when a fixed penalty notice for £60 and three penalty points lands on their doormat.
The new devices are being launched to enforce a new temporary 20mph speed limit at roadworks on Walbrook Wharf at Upper Thames Street in the City. But experts say that, if they are successful, they are bound to spread throughout the capital.
As well as being fined during the trial, motorists will have their number plates displayed on large roadside screens to shame them into slowing down.
The new cameras spearhead a move by the London Safety Camera Partnership to stop motorists travelling too fast at “sensitive” sites where workmen and other road users might be at risk.
During the 18 months of roadworks, the LSCP will operate four pairs of digital cameras in the temporary 20mph zone with City of London police.
Project manager Tom Duckham said: “We want to encourage drivers and riders to keep within the reduced speed limit.
“Message signs will alert drivers if they travel over the speed limit so they can reduce their speed before reaching the zone. Our primary aim is reduce speed-related collisions.”
Edmund King of the RAC Foundation said: “We hope these cameras will not just be spies in the sky, and that they will indeed be adequately signposted.
“The idea of these cameras should be to deter people from speeding – not to catch and fine them.”
A Transport for London spokesman said: “Research proves that a 1mph reduction in average speed results in a reduction of six per cent in the number of collisions.”
The roads are my race track!!
LOVE IS GIVING SOMEONE THE POWER TO DESTROY YOU, BUT TRUSTING THEM NOT TO DO IT.
GO ON! DONATE! YOU KNOW YA WANNA!
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