10 April 2008

Why are there camera signs but no saftey cameras?

The Partnership receives an array of enquiries from the public about safety cameras. One of the common questions is ‘why are there black and white camera signs along the road but no speed cameras, you must just be fooling the public to slow down?’ To try and eliminate any confusion the following sets out an explanation.

Motorists are likely to be familiar with our fixed yellow safety cameras but the Partnership also has seven mobile safety camera vans which have been in operation since the Partnership formed in July 2002.

All safety camera sites are signed - to warn motorists where we are enforcing - with black and white camera signs including the mobile sites . The mobile vans operate at the same location at all times but the van may alternate which day and the amount of time it spends at each location - hence the term ‘mobile’ safety camera site.

Our fixed camera sites usually cover about a one kilometre and the mobile camera vans also ‘back up’ these. This discourages motorists from slowing down and then speeding up at the fixed sites. The mobile camera can also photograph vehicles travelling in both directions.

Every Tuesday the mobile camera locations for the following week are sent to all local media and placed on our website(click here). This method of notifying motorists has been in place since the Partnership formed. Making our camera locations available to the public is not however a legal requirement but helps motorists slow down.

Rachel Wall Communications Manager for the Partnership said: “It is apparent that there is some confusion over why there are safety camera signs but what appear to be no permanent cameras in some areas of the county. The mobile safety cameras have been operating at such sites since July 2002 but questions about their signage are one of the most commonly asked. It is important to the Partnership that motorists do understand why the signs are in place so that they have an opportunity to slow down and avoid a £60 fine and three points on their licence. Every camera site, including those enforced by our mobile cameras, can be found on our website www.kmscp.org."

To see all our camera locations including fixed cameras click here