PR334: An interesting new challenge to speed camera evidence

news: for immediate release

In an interesting new challenge to speed camera evidence, Robbie the Pict has
revealed an apparent flaw in the authorisation procedure for certain speed
cameras.

Robbie the Pict is well know as the campaigner who overturned the Skye Bridge
Tolls.

The flaw concerns the procedure that must be used to authorise devices. It
appears that certain cameras have never been correctly authorised.

On initial examination it does indeed appear that the flaw suggested exists,
and may render unsafe convictions stretching as far back as 1992.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign
(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "This flaw could force camera partnerships to
repay literally millions of fines. The total bill could be hundreds of
millions."

"Having spent thousands of hours examining the overall road safety effects of
speed cameras, I am absolutely certain that they make the roads more dangerous.
It's long overdue that this failed policy was abandoned and if this flaw brings
matters to a head we'll all be better off."

"We have had 13 years of speed cameras on UK roads, and have suffered by far
the worst decade in the history of motoring in terms of road safety
improvements. I am certain that 'bad policy' based on speed cameras is to
blame."

"Department for Transport is in abject denial about the failure of their
policies."

<ends>

Notes for editors
=================

Road Traffic Act 1991 S23:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1991/Ukpga_19910040_en_2.htm#mdiv23

Local Press article:
http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=149235&command=displ\
ayContent&sourceNode=149218&contentPK=14847745
&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch
or
http://tinyurl.com/r4tk9


About Safe Speed
================

The Safe Speed road safety campaign is primarily the work of engineer-turned
road safety analyst Paul Smith.

Since setting up Safe Speed in 2001, Paul Smith, 51, an advanced motorist and
road safety enthusiast, and a professional engineer of 25 years UK experience,
has carried out over 10,000 hours working on the campaign with well over 5,000
of those hours researching the overall effects of speed camera policy on UK
road safety. In addition to those 10,000 hours, Paul has funded to campaign to
the tune of £10,000.

We believe that this is more work in more detail than anything carried out by
any other organisation. Paul's surprising conclusion is that overall speed
cameras make our roads more dangerous. Paul has identified and reported a
number of major flaws and false assumptions in the claims made for speed
cameras, and the whole "speed kills" system of road safety.

The inescapable conclusion is that we should urgently return to the excellent
road safety policies that gave us in the UK the safest roads in the World in
the first place. Far from saving lives, speed cameras are a dangerous
distraction.

Safe Speed does not campaign against speed limits or appropriate enforcement
of motoring laws, but argues vigorously that automated speed enforcement is
neither safe nor appropriate.

Safe Speed is very slimly funded by voluntary contributions to the web site.
We are urgently seeking improved funding.

The Safe Speed web site contains more than 350,000 words of road safety
analysis and information. We are seeking publishers for 'the book of the web
site'.

It has turned out to be quite an amazing story and there are opportunities for
journalists and broadcasters to explore how all this came about, what it
means, and where road safety has gone so badly wrong.



Contact Safe Speed - We have moved
==================================

description: Safe Speed road safety campaign
web: http://www.safespeed.org.uk
email: psmith@...
telephone: > 01862 893030 < Primary number
ISDN Audio: 01862 894772
mobile: 07799 045553

Location: North Scotland

We are always available for further comment on your road safety story.

To be added to our PR distribution list send an email to
psmith@... or visit our press pages at:
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/prindex.html

Recent press releases (since November 2004) are automatically and immediately
uploaded to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SafeSpeedPR

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Note new address and telephone numbers
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