Speed camera issues could see drivers face major accidents - 'They should be removed!'
Almost half of fixed speed cameras included in the research were inactive
PA
Experts are calling on the Government to remove any dummy speed cameras around the UK, warning that it could lead to a major accident on the roads.
New data has found that 46 per cent of fixed speed cameras in England and Wales were inactive, a Freedom of Information request found.
Areas around the UK had varying levels of inactive speed cameras, with Northamptonshire not having a single active camera out of the eight in the area.
Similarly, Gwent in Wales had only one active speed camera, despite having 31 across the region.
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Following the findings, experts have issued a warning to police forces and local authorities that drivers could be massively affected by the “dummy” cameras.
A motoring organisation is also demanding inactive speed cameras to be removed or to fix them all.
Safety charity Road Angel said the inactive cameras serve no purpose other than to distract motorists and have the potential to cause accidents.
In 2018, entrepreneur Shed Simove was threatened with seven years in jail if he installed a dummy speed camera that distracted people on the road.
Road Angel now argues that police forces view inactive cameras as having “little threat” to road safety.
Gary Digva, founder of the road safety organisation, said inactive cameras confuse drivers and serve no real purpose.
He added: “We believe if speed cameras are in place then they should be operating. Inactive speed cameras serve no purpose other than to confuse motorists and other road users and could even be dangerous.
“That’s why we decided to make a Freedom of Information Request to the Department of Transport to find out exactly how many fixed speed cameras are actually working out there on our roads.
“If a camera is inactive and remains so for many months or even years at a time then it begs the question, why is it there?"
Derbyshire had more speed cameras out of action than any other region with a staggering 93 not working.
Only two police force areas had all speed cameras working – Dyfed-Powys and Suffolk – with both forces having just four devices each.
Gary Digva added: “[An inactive camera] may still play a part in encouraging traffic to slow down but it could also act to distract drivers and potentially cause an accident.
“Our view is that if cameras are present then drivers should be able to feel assured that they are working. If they are non-operational then they should be removed.
“That is why we are calling on police forces and local authorities across the country to carry out an audit of cameras and remove any non-operational devices as quickly as possible.”
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Only two areas had all of their speed cameras in action
PA
A total of 25 police forces across England and Wales responded to the FOI request, although three forces reported they had no fixed speed cameras, namely Durham, North Yorkshire and Wiltshire.