We’ve always been told that the whole purpose of speed cameras is to reduce road accidents and injuries. But evidence released recently proves that simply is not true!

Witness the Gatso speed camera on the M11 at its junction with the North Circular near Woodford, Essex. That camera is reported to catch up to 3,500 a week, generating over £1 million per year in fines. A good little earner!

And what has happened to accidents? They’ve risen! Casualties at the location have virtually doubled and accidents have risen by a quarter. Police believe that crashes have increased because motorists are slowing down anticipating the camera and then accelerating once they have passed it. (Now who would believe that drivers would do that?)

If you are arguing the case for speed cameras on the sole basis of safety, then the experience o the North Circular debunks your argument. Roads would be safer without them. Well at least on faster roads which allow motorists to significantly slow down and then accelerate.

Bearing in mind that this M11 camera is the most profitable in the UK, does anyone want to have a bet with me that it will be removed to increase road safety?

I rest my case.