Merseyside owner drivers need to be aware that a new speed camera is being trialled by police. This camera not only catches speeding vehicles but has been designed to catch red light jumpers too. Known as ‘speed on green’ cameras, they are part of a new innovation that aims to improve safety on the road and deter anyone behind the wheel from speeding up through traffic lights as they are changing.
What the Cameras Do
The principle aim of this technology is to catch drivers jumping lights. They are also, however, fine-tuned to catch anyone speeding through them, regardless of whether the lights are changing or not.
What are the Benefits?
Hundreds of people are involved in serious vehicle accidents annually. In Merseyside alone, 577 people were seriously injured or lost their lives last year. It is hoped that these cameras will help make a significant reduction in collisions, especially at junctions.
Forewarned is Forearmed
The Road Safety Partnership and Merseyside Police are the innovators behind the trial and have identified several appropriate junctions in the Merseyside area suitable for the trial. These junctions are deemed particularly risky and it is thought that the cameras could be enough of a deterrent for drivers who would normally be tempted to take unnecessary risks. In the long run they will behave more responsibly and road safety will improve.
People not driving slowly enough to stop as the lights change or as pedestrian begin to cross the road cause most accidents at traffic lights. It is good advice to all owner drivers to pay attention to their speed, regardless of whether these ‘speed on green’ cameras are in place – but by knowing that they may be fined as a result of risky decisions at junctions, vehicle owners will hopefully drive more carefully and responsibly.
The Penalties
Owner drivers have a reputation to uphold and understandably most of them want to avoid being caught for minor offences. Consequences include Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) and fines of £100, as well as three points added to the license of anyone caught speeding by a ‘speed on green’ camera. More serious offences receive a greater punishment and possible court proceedings, as well as steeper fines. On top of this, jumping a red light incurs another fine of £100 and an additional three points on a license so if you are caught both speeding and running the light, the fine is £200 and six points immediately.
If this trial is successful it will be rolled out nationwide. Owner drivers are responsible for their behaviour on the road and, despite having targets to meet and deadlines to adhere to, safety comes first – these cameras will help remind every vehicle user that of that and make the roads a better place to be.
Author Plate
Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day owner driver courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Numerous transport exchange businesses are networked together on their website, trading jobs and capacity through what is now the fastest growing Freight Exchange in the UK.
