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Extra traffic police needed - MPs Extra traffic police needed - MPs
(about 1 hour later)
Britain's roads need more speed cameras and more police to reduce the number of accidents, a report by MPs has warned.Britain's roads need more speed cameras and more police to reduce the number of accidents, a report by MPs has warned.
The Transport Select Committee said traffic police had been marginalised, adding: "Technology must support road police officers, not replace them."The Transport Select Committee said traffic police had been marginalised, adding: "Technology must support road police officers, not replace them."
The MPs criticised rules that allow cameras to be sited only where there is a record of deaths or serious injuries.The MPs criticised rules that allow cameras to be sited only where there is a record of deaths or serious injuries.
But the transport department said those rules were changed in April and local authorities now have more flexibility.But the transport department said those rules were changed in April and local authorities now have more flexibility.
The changes meant local officials could now look at all accidents over a longer period when deciding where speed cameras should be placed, a department spokeswoman said.The changes meant local officials could now look at all accidents over a longer period when deciding where speed cameras should be placed, a department spokeswoman said.
'Well-accepted''Well-accepted'
The report, Roads Policing and Technology - Getting the Balance Right, called for new technologies to be approved more rapidly.The report, Roads Policing and Technology - Getting the Balance Right, called for new technologies to be approved more rapidly.
It highlighted the "alcolocks" system - whereby a car is immobilised if the driver has had alcohol - as one which should be introduced as soon as possible.It highlighted the "alcolocks" system - whereby a car is immobilised if the driver has had alcohol - as one which should be introduced as soon as possible.
We are quite clear that technology alone cannot meet all the aims of the road policing strategy Government statementWe are quite clear that technology alone cannot meet all the aims of the road policing strategy Government statement
Committee chairman Gwyneth Dunwoody said it was clear that speed cameras were "effective, good value for money, and well-accepted by the public".Committee chairman Gwyneth Dunwoody said it was clear that speed cameras were "effective, good value for money, and well-accepted by the public".
But Ms Dunwoody, a Labour MP, said senior officers often cut traffic policing to help balance their budgets.But Ms Dunwoody, a Labour MP, said senior officers often cut traffic policing to help balance their budgets.
She warned that declining numbers of officers on patrol had led to fewer breath tests - but over the same time period the number of drink-driving casualties had risen.
"You can't assume that a camera is going to replace somebody who can assess when a driver has been drinking or has been taking drugs that make them unable to drive," she said."You can't assume that a camera is going to replace somebody who can assess when a driver has been drinking or has been taking drugs that make them unable to drive," she said.
"Many local people could tell you, there are very difficult areas where we think that a speed camera could make all the difference.
"It's a good tool ... but don't assume that it's automatically going to replace a policeman."
Careful considerationCareful consideration
In a joint statement, the Home Office and Department for Transport said the number of dedicated traffic officers had actually increased since 2002.In a joint statement, the Home Office and Department for Transport said the number of dedicated traffic officers had actually increased since 2002.
"Technology enhances police officers' work, allowing them to do their job better and more quickly," the statement said."Technology enhances police officers' work, allowing them to do their job better and more quickly," the statement said.
"But we are quite clear that technology alone cannot meet all the aims of the road policing strategy and we would not expect it to.""But we are quite clear that technology alone cannot meet all the aims of the road policing strategy and we would not expect it to."
The departments said they would consider the committee's recommendations carefully.The departments said they would consider the committee's recommendations carefully.
The RAC Foundation said it was concerned about falling numbers of traffic police.
"A camera can clock someone a few miles over the limit but does nothing to deter the drink, drugged or other forms of dangerous driving," said the foundation's Edmund King.
Andrew Howard, of the AA Motoring Trust, also called for "more conspicuous police activity" to deter drivers.
He added that speed cameras were achieving their road safety goals, but limiting their deployment to proven accident sites would help to make them more acceptable to motorists.