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Guest: Emma Reynolds

Date: Tuesday 16th December 2003

Read the transcript below.

Steve_-_by_email: Why are you concerned only with speed - the number of drivers cutting across chevrons in rush hour is far more dangerous.

Emma_Reynolds: Speed is the biggest single contributory factor in road crashes so that is why there is a focus on speed.

email_question: Geoff asks, Are the locations of the mobile cameras to be shown on the list, precisely- as are the static ones, and are they to be made very visble from the minimum 60 meteres and painted yellow?

Emma_Reynolds: The locations of mobiles will be available on our website when it is up and running and we are giving the details to local newspaers so they can publish all the sites we have.

Emma_Reynolds: We will also update our mobile sites so that will also be avialable.

email_question: Neville says, The sight of a police car brings an imediate response by drivers to obey the speed limit. Do you think speed cameras have the same effect?

Emma_Reynolds: Yes I think they do, most people know what the cameras are trying to do and appreciate that.

Julia: People always brake the minute they see a camera - doesn't that make the roads less safe rather than more

Emma_Reynolds: No, people are much more aware where cameras are as most p'ships now publish the lists, we want people to be aware of their speed and that is what the cameras are there for.

john: Are'nt the cameras just a money making scheme?

Emma_Reynolds: At the end of the day the only people that pay are the people that brake the speed limits, what better way can you do that? We all have to pay for the education of people who drink and drive but with this iniative only the ones who speed pay.

Julia: What are conviction rates for speeding drivers - as a per centage

Emma_Reynolds: I can find that info out for you, I do not have it to hand. I can say for current research that 80% of the general public support the safety cameras as current opinion polls show. Speeders are in the minority but obviously there effects can be devastating.

email_question: Lisa asks, Is there a minimum number of drivers you will need to catch this coming year to cover your running costs and make a profit?

Emma_Reynolds: We hope that we don't need to catch anyone, it would be much nicer if the roads where safe for everyone and that there where accidents. Cameras can only go at accident hotspots, I'ld rather no one died in the first place.

email_question: Mark asks, do you know the KSI figures are for the A34 Handforth Bypass just south of the Sainsburys/John Lewis junction? And why the speed limits were reduced and a speed camera was installed at the bottom of the hill?

email_question: Dave says, Hello Emma, the question i would like to ask regards the safety camera on Peel Way in Bury. It is sighted AFTER the crossing and not before why can't it be positioned to slow down traffic before and not after. There was an accident a few years ago but the camera was put in the wrong place.

Emma_Reynolds: I do not know the exact KSI figures at that site Mark, but there has to be a history of at least 4 KSI's in the last 3 yrs. All camera sites have to be researched and a clear case put forward also that other road safety measures have either been tried or it is not practical to do that.

Karen: I e-mailed a question in yesterday thanks, but I don't know if I've missed the answer. It was about those cameras which average out speed over distance.

Emma_Reynolds: Karen those previous emails will be answered later, but I guess you are talking about the specs cameras? There is an email going round that they are on the M6 this is not true. Any cameras on motorways are put up if there are road works taking place to protect workers.

Paul: Hi Emma, do you think cars should be fitted with speed limiters like those built into trucks? Then speeders couldn't break the law in places without cameras.

Emma_Reynolds: I would like to think that we can all take the responsability for keeping our speed down to protect ourselves and others.

Carl: Yes, if speed cameras are really about reducing speed, then surely using the cameras that average speed over a distance are a better measure than Gatsos.

Emma_Reynolds: New technology means that new cameras can have many different features. Some cameras now know what speed you where doing when you approached the site so it makes no difference if you suddenly slow down as you approach it.

Karen: I don't know the name of the cameras, Emma, but anything which deters people from hurtling up to speed cameras and them slamming their brakes on, causing a danger to other road users, has to be a good thing.

Emma_Reynolds: I agree, many new cameras can detect the speed at which you approach so it makes no difference if you try to slow down. I hope that speeding will be as socially unacceptable as drink driving is now. Many people do not realsie how much difference they could make if they just dropped their speed by 5 m.p.h.

Karen: In response to Paul, I think in-vehicle speed limiters would be a bad idea, because on some rare occasions it is necessary to speed up to get out of a dangerous situation.

Guest23348: Are all cameras operating all the time? I see loads of people speeding past GATSO and there is no flash, etc.

Emma_Reynolds: Many cameras are operating 100% of the time as there are cameras that are digital, so just because they do not flash does not mean that a speeder has not been caught.

Carl: Are there any plans to educate the public about the new style cameras?

Emma_Reynolds: Yes there are, we will put on our website the different types of cameras and a big part of my role is raising drivers awareness of speed, cameras are the final option. If we all stick to the limits we don't need to have them.

email_question: Duncan asks, why does any intelligent person consider reliance on speed cameras will solve the issue of road casualties in this country, when so many other factors are involved, including driver training, road engineering etc?

Emma_Reynolds: Yes, you are right and as I have said cameras are the last option, when engineers look at accident stats they look at all road safety options. Cameras are the last option for the hard core speeders .

email_question: Robin asks, what do you think about the findings that most people would turn a blind eye if they saw someone in the act of damaging a speed camera? Do you feel that people take this atitude because they feel their freedom has been stripped?

Emma_Reynolds: At the end of the day it is a criminal offence and I have to say how would you feel if someone was injured at a site where a camera had been damaged? It is a serious issue.

Guest23348: How do GMP combat the "Christine Hamilton" defence, i.e. owners who accept their cars were speeding but say they don't remember who was driving at the time?

Emma_Reynolds: I am not from G.M.P so I can not comment on there behalf and that is up to the C.P.S. I find it strange that she does not know what roads she or her husband have driven on.

Paul: I heard that the police can use cameras out of the back of unmarked vans to catch speeding motorists. Is this happening? I'm all for it!

Emma_Reynolds: All vans will be marked and higly visable. At the end of the day we want people to be aware of their speed and the impact there driving has on others the more visable the better as it helps remind them to monitor there speed.

zanybod: You say "last option for a hard core of speeders" What tolerance are these being set at - given that those offerering "Speed Awareness Course " Which I AGREE are a good idea! But they seem to be offering this to people copped at 31 to 35 mph only. hardly what I would term as dangerous of even "hard core" as this can be just a minor drift which is corrected immediately by the "alleged offender"!

Emma_Reynolds: I agree I think the speed awareness courses are a good idea. They are currently being evaluated by the government and if they are shown to be effective may well be introduced nationally.

Mark: Do you know what's the fastest a person has been caught on a speed camera in the North West, and also in the country?

Emma_Reynolds: No idea, sorry

Guest: Is there a way that motorists can ask for the speed limit on a stretch of road to be revised upwards rather than the current downward trend?

Emma_Reynolds: Yes, that is possible. Sometimes when sites are evaluated then speeds can go upwards if that is seen as the best measure.

Guest3364: How many drivers are to be targetted this coming year? Have you got a target to meet for fines issed?

Emma_Reynolds: As I said earlier we have no targets to meet. The best way to get rid of safety cameras is to stick to the limit and then they will be taken down. If you support the end of safety cameras raise your right foot!

zanybod: But you still have not answered the question as to tolerances. Will we be given the 10%+2 to allow for speedo errors per manufacturer or will this be set at ZEro like Lnacs (who do offer that course!)

Emma_Reynolds: Some p'ships take a zero tolerance attitude to speeding. We do not in Greater Manchester, at present.

Guest3364: So you have NO targets to meet at all? Then whats the point of your organisation?

Emma_Reynolds: To save lives of course. What better target do you have? We have to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads that is our target.

email_question: Robin asks, If these cameras are in accident black spots to help reduce road deaths, why hasn't the amount of road deaths reduced significantly since 1996?

Guest3364: How do you explain the rise nationally of deaths if as you proclaim speed cameras save lives? Its obvious that theyre not.

Emma_Reynolds: Research shows that there has been reductions at sights. A DfT report shows there has been a 35% reduction in casualties at camera sites. That equates to 280 people. and a 14% reduction in personal injury collisions.

Guest65097: Could you define specifically what KSI actally means, what is considered a serious injury

Emma_Reynolds: KSI -stands for killed or seriously injured.

Guest65097: Mary Williams of BRAKE said “Cameras are there to reduce speed because if you are driving badly but you are going at a slower speed the chances of a crash resulting in a fatality are far less.”

Guest65097: In your opinion is it okay to drive badly but slowly?

Emma_Reynolds: No, it is not. We should all drive safely.

Guest65097: I know what it stands for but define "Serious Injry" please.

Declan: Can you advise me who is the safest in this scenario. A dual carriageway: A line of six cars travelling at the speed limit all following closely & 1 car in the outside lane passing them with clear visibility ahead & behind. Which drivers are in the safest situation to make adjustments to their speed & course if need be?

Tony: Hi all. Are we taking it in turns or shall I just blurt anythig out whenever I feel like it? :D

Emma_Reynolds: All drivers need to be aware of all safe driving guidelines, my emphasis is on speed but of course people should not drive too close to each other, wear seatbelts and not use a mobile phone. All we want is for people to drive safely and appropriatly for the road and weather conditions.

Puggit: why are there are 4 times as many cameras on the 50 safest roads in Britain compared to the 50 most dangerous roads (source http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2206467.stm)??

Emma_Reynolds: There was a lot of coverage of a report by Euro RAP however an assessment of the danger rating of British roads was released in 2003 The data used to assess the roads however cover the period from 97 to 2001 and only 1 police force was involved in the safety camera p'ship at that time. Only time will tell the impact the p'ship will have on Greater Manchester road casualties.

ManchesterOnline: We have so many questions we have decided to extend today's webchat until 1.45pm

Tony: If you want people to drive appropriately for the conditions, why the focus on speed, rather than better driver training?

Emma_Reynolds: Part of my role is to educate drivers about speed and it is for road safety officers to educate drivers about other issues. I will do my best to educate drivers about drving appropriatly be relasing advice for winter drving etc.

Guest65097: How does it cost £100,000 for the upkeep of a camera

Guest65097: I have read that it costs £100,000 to operate a camera, would that not be better spent on a traffic policeman?

ManchesterOnline: We are now into extra time - if you still have a question to aks please submit it

Emma_Reynolds: Under the new National Policing Plan 2004 -2007 road traffic enforcement is excluded from the list of key priorities,so that the police could be freed up for other demands. I guess its a case of so many other areas they are pulled in all directions.

Puggit: Time has already told on Northants roads - for the period 2001-2002 deaths rose by 30% - why is this?

Puggit: I drive over 10,000 miles per year - and break the speed limit every day - why have I never had an accident in 13 years?

Guest65097: £100000 would pay for an entirely new officer, that makes no sense.

ManchesterOnline: Would you all like Emma to come back and do another session?

Guest3364: YES!

Guest65097: Yes

Tony: yup

zanybod: YES PL$EASE!!

Declan: yes this seems a very hot topic

Superflid: Yes

Guest3364: its a smokin topic!

Guest65097: It certainly is

Emma_Reynolds: But how many have you caused? You might have driven away safely but what might you have left behind? We can not let people set their own speed limits for how they want to drive, we have to be responsible for our actions and think of other road users.

Tony: Do you drive under the speed limit 100% of the time? :D

zanybod: Can you really keep at 30 all the time without a waiver? Do you do so Em? Tel the truth now!

Emma_Reynolds: I have to concentrate on my driving speed like everyone else, I was not appointed to this post because I am saint, I am a normal driver like you and everyone else. I just want people in Greater Manchester to know that the P'ship is open and has nothing to hide. I am here to help drivers.

Sarah: Do the police get done if they are caught on camera answering 999 calls

Emma_Reynolds: When the film is taken out, all frames are checked, if we see an emergency car even if it has flashing blue lights we check that it was on an emergency call and it has to be checked and signed for. No one gets treated any differently.

ManchesterOnline: Thanks to Emma for being our webchat guest today. Because we had so many questions we didn't get time to answer, Emma has offered to join us again next Monday at 1pm. Check back to the site later today for more details and the chance to submit a question in advance.

Tony: Ta.

Superflid: Thanks Emma

Karen: Thanks for your time, Emma. It's been an interesting debate.

Puggit: thank you

Guest65097: Ta

Emma_Reynolds: As there are so many of you out there I may not have been able to answer all of them today but will be back on Monday. Has this helped you? Have your learnt anything new?

zanybod: Great debate ta - hadve to give you a HARD time you know!

Tony: Learnt that at least SOMEONE is willing to take part in a debate to defend cameras rather than hiding!

Puggit: emma - only that we can't get a straight answer

GuestE240: Cheers Puggit

Guest65097: See ya next week