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Speed camera funding row erupts
The decision to cut funding for speed cameras in Swindon has been described as "tokenism" by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
Councillors in Swindon voted to withdraw from the Wiltshire Safety Camera Partnership claiming that the cameras had not reduced the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region's roads.
However, although the move may be welcomed by some bike insurance customers, the IAM said it would not have a positive impact upon road safety.
Neil Grieg, research and policy director at the IAM, said: "Road safety impact is greatest at fixed camera sites, which are - or should be - at locations where speed related-crashes and casualties occur most frequently."
That is the area in which the largest reduction in casualties ought to be made, the expert commented.
Mr Grieg argued that the council's move may "fuel public cynicism that the priority is saving cash rather than saving lives".
Describing safety camera revenues as a "tax" is "emotive, but not true", he added.
Peter Greenhalgh, conservative councillor behind the idea, told the BBC that only six per cent of collisions are due to a road user breaking the speed limit, yet nearly all rad safety funding is invested in cameras.
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