Swindon Speed Cameras
Getting caught red-handed whilst speeding is undoubtedly every driver’s worse nightmare in Swindon. However, this has taken a twist since the end of July 2009 when cameras were deactivated due to criticisms being hurled towards the necessity and costs surrounding them. Since 2008, concerns were raised about their usefulness in preventing accidents and many referred to them as a tax upon drivers. The question is- will this benefit or hurt Swindon?
Undoubtedly the reduction of £250,000 that was being spent on the cameras will provide new capital for investments in other sectors. Whilst this might be a plausible reason to agree with the removal of the cameras, it carries with it a whole degree of risks that one has but to wonder if it will be worth it in future years.
The removal of the cameras caused great alarm from people in the neighbourhood and given the present circumstances they have all right too be. Three of the busiest streets in Swindon were no longer graced with their faithful bodyguard by the beginning of early August. Instead they were replaced by electronic signs that show the driver’s speed. The council that motioned their removal weighed statistics and cost on a scale and found that the cameras accounted for 6% reduction in speed in comparison to the £250,000 that were invested to maintain and install them. Rhetorically, since when is a human life weighed against monetary value?
The cameras acted as a silent policeman over delinquent drivers who were reckless in their drivings. The attached fees to such recklessness helped to deter them from attempting such an act in the future. With the absence of the cameras, many will feel they are the gods of the streets and will ultimately abuse the freedom they have been given due to the absence of any binding consequences.
Obviously the result of this will be an increase in the 6% to a greater percentage that will eventually justify the fact that the removal of the cameras was a shaky decision.
What Then Can be Expected In the Near Future Due To the Cameras Removal?
Any sense of regard that drivers had, has been thrown out the window due to costs factors. There is absolutely no reason why drivers will now not go on a rampage to kill and take innocent lives due to speeding. The reign that had some control over him will no longer hurt their pockets as it did before and many will see this as a chance to forget their civil responsibilities. The mere fact that the council has chosen to remove the cameras from the busiest streets in Swindon begs one to wonder if this was the only dignified solution they found. With the present recession, it is understandable that there is concern to save money , but the solution that has been implemented to take the place of the camera will not be effective.
There should have been an effort to install sleeping policemen along the streets so as to discourage speeding. Surely many drivers will criticise due to the wear and tear it causes on their breaks, but when it comes to saving at least one human from being killed, there is really no comparison.
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