The Scotsman today reports that red light cameras are failing to prevent redlight jumping with steady numbers of drivers continuing to jump the lights andtrigger the cameras.

From the Scotsman:

Colin McNeill, the manager of the Lothian and Borders Safety CameraPartnership, said: "This is really worrying - we are getting the same number,month in, month out."

Safe Speed points out that this should be no surprise because the camerascannot address the main causes of red light running. Which are:

Observation failure. A driver did not see the lights. Cameras make nodifference because they cannot force drivers with poor observation to see thetraffic lights.

Judgement failure. A driver thought he could get through safely before thelights changed. Cameras cannot improve judgement.

Criminals. Someone in a stolen car may recklessly and deliberately drivethrough red lights but a camera will neither deter nor prevent.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign(www.safespeed.org.uk) said: "This is depressingly typical of modern roadsafety policy. Nothing is being thought through properly. A simple logicalanalysis of the real-world errors that result in red light running soon revealsthat cameras are unlikely to make much difference."

"Everyone wants safer roads, but we will not get them until we disband theincompetent partnerships and ditch the useless cameras. We need to refocus roadsafety policy away from regulation and compliance and back towards skills andattitudes."

"British road safety was the best in the world. Now it is institutionallyincompetent at the highest level."