M4 camera that caused accidents to be removed
Published: 24th December 2006
Category: Location Issues
Reader's Rage: [29votes]

A speed camera on the M4 at junction 41 near Port Talbot is to be removed after officials accepted that it caused more accidents than it prevented. This is the first case of its kind in the UK after the government had twice assessed all camera sites in the UK and concluded they were all appropriate.

The camera is to be replaced with an electronic warning sign that flashes up the speed of motorists exceeding the speed limit without issuing any tickets. It has been proven that these warning signs are more effective at slowing traffic and vehicles keep their speed down for longer after driving past the sign than they do when driving past cameras.

Accidents at the Port Talbot site doubled in 2003. It causes tailbacks and increases the likelihood of collisions. Tory MP, Alun Cairns, said "The siting of the speed camera has always been nonsensical. It causes a lot of congestion because people brake through instinct on observing the camera - even when they are travelling within the speed limit."

Our comment: This is the first acknowledgement by officials that speed cameras have side effects. Pity it's taken so many horrible accidents to get this far.

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