Speed cameras

Speed cameras are triggering a nationwide surge in the number of drivers on the brink of being banned, with close to a million* Brits one conviction away from losing their licence, according to research by Direct Line.

Convictions have dramatically increased in the last five years and the number of drivers with three points on their licence has increased by seven per cent just in the last two years. One in 10 (14 per cent) of the drivers with nine points on their licence would lose their jobs if their licence was taken away, over 125,000 people across the UK.

Despite speed cameras only being launched 13 years ago, 92 per cent of those receiving motoring convictions in the last two years are for speeding and fines can be as much as £2500 for a first time offence. Within the past 12 months motorists have paid out over £121 million** in speeding tickets.

Yet, motorists are cynical about the rise in speed cameras, and their subsequent fines. Six in 10 (61 per cent) believe they are revenue raisers and one in 10 (11 per cent) think that they are there to pay for the bonuses of local authority ....cont/

workers.

Overall 4.8 million (16 per cent) drivers now have penalty points on their licence, however despite the risk in getting caught by cameras motorists say they are failing to deter them. Over half claim that speed limits (56 per cent), cameras (57 per cent) and fines (74 per cent) have no impact on their speedometer.

In addition to knowingly flouting the law, many motorists have no idea what the speed limits actually are. Direct Line research reveals that despite 93 per cent of motorists claiming they have a sound knowledge of speed limits, in reality only half of all UK motorists are unable to correctly identify the limit on a dual carriageway (70mph).

Emma Holyer, Direct Line’s Motor spokesperson, said:

"Despite the growing number of speed cameras in the UK and the increase in motorists receiving penalty points our research shows that drivers are still speeding. Although the Government is current reviewing speed cameras as part of the Road Safety Bill, drivers need to take notice of the speed limits – and cameras – regardless of whether they agree with them or not as they could ....cont/

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lose their licence if they choose to ignore them.

“Speed cameras exist because speeding is one of the biggest dangers on UK roads with one in three road deaths attributed to it so motorists do need to keep their speed down and be aware of the limits. ”

Speed camera facts:

• Speed cameras were first introduced in London in 1992

• There are now more than 6000 fixed and mobile speed camera sites across Great Britain

• In 2003 – 04 speeding fines generated £112 million. Of that, £92 million was ploughed back into installing and operating the cameras (Department for Transport)

• The Road Safety Bill may bring in graduated fixed penalties for speeding, whereby higher levels of points would be awarded to those exceeding the speed limit by a wide margin. The lower level of two points and a smaller fine would go to motorists just over the speed limit. The aim of the Road Safety Bill is to improve road safety measures and reduce casualties on the roads. First reading of the bill occurred on 11 January 2006. The Road Safety Bill is due...cont/

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to have its second hearing in the house of commons.

The research was carried out on behalf of Direct Line car insurance by YouGov. A nationally representative sample of 2,430 UK adults were questioned online between 6th to 10th January 2006. Results are weighted to be representative of the UK adult population. YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.

*There are 33.8 million drivers in the UK (Census data, 2001) and according to the YouGov findings 16 per cent of all motorists hold penalty points on their licence and of these three per cent are currently three points away from losing their licence and 14 per cent are six points away from losing their licence. 0.16 x 33,809,493 = 5,409,518. 0.17 x 5,409,518 = 919,618.06.

**There are 33.8 million drivers in the UK (Census data, 2001) and according to the YouGov findings six per cent of motorists in the past 12 months have paid out an average speeding fine of £60. 0.06 x 33,809,493 = 2,028,569.58 (motorists). £60 x 2,028,569.58 = £121,714,174.

Direct Line car insurance