New Speed Camera Installed To Increase Road Safety
Speeding drivers on Whifflet Street, Coatbridge, who risk the safety of all users of the road, are warned that they are also risking prosecution, with the possibility of loss of licence and all that entails. That is the message from the Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership which operates a new fixed speed camera on this busy 30mph speed limit road.
Partnership manager, Gladys Cadden, commented: “The camera was erected a few months ago and during its testing phase we were shocked at the number of motorists who speed on this road without any thought for the safety of others. The camera is now fully operational and we are taking action against drivers who ignore the speed limit. The purpose of the camera isn’t to catch motorists out but to deter drivers from speeding and thereby reduce crashes and casualties.”
Chief Inspector Stewart Carle of Strathclyde Police said: “Whifflet Street has a history of crashes and resulting casualties and it is just not acceptable for people to drive in this fashion. We are disappointed that the presence of this highly visible camera and all the warning signs that lead up to it still does not seem to encourage all drivers to slow down. In recent weeks we have seen hundreds of drivers continuing to take the risk and I can tell them that if they persist they will be paying the legal penalties. However, despite the worrying level of speeding by a selfish minority of drivers, the vast majority of motorists do actually comply with the limits, so the message to the speeders is clear – ‘heed your speed’.”
David McDove of North Lanarkshire Council, added: "It may be that some drivers are speeding because they perceive the speed limit to be higher than it actually is due to it being a dual carriageway. However, I would stress that this stretch or road has always been 30mph. The speed limit on this road has recently been assessed as part of the national speed limit review programme, which confirmed that 30mph is the appropriate limit. Enforcement is necessary to encourage would-be speeders to comply, not least because of the history of crashes on this section of road. There are camera warning signs in place ahead of the camera that clearly show that the speed limit is 30mph. Crashes can most frequently be put down to people driving without care or driving too fast. Every measure we can take to reduce speeding on our roads helps reduce the risk of someone being hurt or killed.”
Amber means STOP!
You’re approaching the lights.
They’ve just changed from green to amber.
What do you do – speed up, or slow down?
Amber means stop unless unsafe to do so.
Red-light running is a road safety issue of real concern in the West of Scotland. In 2008, 157 people were injured in the Strathclyde Police area because of drivers going through a red light. For safety’s sake the message for drivers is clear – don’t go through the red light and don’t try to race it on amber.
Don’t be an amber gambler.
Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership
Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership is a road safety initiative run by Strathclyde Police in partnership with Transport Scotland and the 12 local authorities in the West of Scotland. Its task is to reduce personal injury crashes by deterring speeding and red light running at key locations where these actions have led to death or injury on the road.
It operates under the rules of the Scottish Safety Camera Programme and is funded by the Scottish Government.
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