Fatal crashes in Northamptonshire fall to a new record low
NEW figures have revealed the number of deaths on Northamptonshire’s roads has fallen to a record low, prompting council chiefs to claim the decision to switch-off speed cameras across the county was correct.
The statistics showed 19 people died in road accidents across the county in the last 12 months, the lowest number since records began. The deaths included 11 drivers and three passengers.
The news came after fears were raised about a potential increase in serious accidents on the roads following the decision to axe the county’s speed cameras in April last year.
However, leader of Northamptonshire County Council Jim Harker (Con, Kettering Rural) said the figures, which were down by 21 per cent on the previous year, proved safety cameras were not saving lives.
He said: “It is a welcome trend but it is still a serious problem and we need to do everything we can do to continue that trend. However, it does support the argument that simply having speed cameras did not contribute to the number of deaths on the road.
“It also gives some evidence that although speed has risen as a result of removing cameras, the consequence hasn’t been more serious accidents.”
The number of people killed on roads in Northamptonshire is now the lowest figure since official records were introduced in 1960. Last year Northamptonshire Police revealed they had seen an increase in speeding cars since cameras were switched off.
Councillor Andre Gonzalez De Savage, county council cabinet member for infrastructure and public protection, said: “It is very good news that the number of deaths has fallen and this reflects the hard work of all the agencies involved in keeping our county roads safe. However, we should remember there are 19 families who have spent the festive period without their loved ones and we will continue to do all we can to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Deputy Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police Suzette Davenport added: “One death on our roads is one too many and we must not forget that behind each statistic is a grieving family or someone coming to terms with a life-changing injury. We would urge all road users to think about their driving behaviour.”
Feb 2 A6116, Stanion, Driver
Feb 26 A428, Harlestone Road, Driver
Mar 9 A47 Collyweston, Driver
Mar 26 A14 at Catthorpe Interchange, Motorcyclist
May 10 A45 Wellingborough, Passenger
May 26 M1 near Watford Gap services, Driver
June 23 A45 near Great Doddington, Motorcyclist
July 7 A605 near Warmington, Driver
July 24 A45 near Great Doddington, Pedestrian
Aug 13 M1 at junction 15a exit, Two passengers
Aug 20 M1 near Milton Malsor, Driver
Aug 22 A4300 Rothwell Road, Kettering, Cyclist
Aug 23 A422 near Hinton in the Hedges, Driver
Aug 27 A43 Stanion, Driver
Sept 26 B4525 near Greatworth, Driver
Oct 20 A5 at Duncote turning, Driver
Nov 25 Cockley Road in Farthinghoe, Driver
Dec 17 A43 near Barley Mow roundabout, Pedestrian
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Comments
There are 11 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
lady muck
Friday, January 6, 2012 at 05:22 PMjcw...You are confusing 'posted speed limits' with 'safety cameras'. Whilst some might argue (incorrectly in my opinion), that there is a hidden agenda of revenue collection with safety cameras, the speed limits (including the national speed limit) are set for safety reasons. You are incorrect in stating that the '85th percentile' method was used until the 1990's. In fact the national speed limit of 70mph and the usual limit of 30mph in towns and villages were set many years earlier.. There was never any particular calculation....certainly not one involving 'percentiles'...it was just thought to be an appropriate figure....but thank you for giving your professional expertise free of charge..... .
Chrispy1
Friday, January 6, 2012 at 01:38 PMProof that speed cameras were there just for the money. As soon as the Police stopped receiving the money from them, they stopped using them. And - surprise, surprise - there has not been an increase in road deaths. It was a scam from Day 1, some folk were fooled, but many of us were not.
Finker
Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:14 AMjcwconsult, make sure you keep that tin foil hat on at all times.
willi eckaslyke
Friday, January 6, 2012 at 10:07 AMjcwconsult looks to be a serious rival to Teddy McNabb
jcwconsult
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 10:45 PMIf safety were the true goal for posted speed limits in the UK and the USA, which in most cases is NOT the true goal, then posted speed limits would be set at the 85th percentile speed of free flowing traffic under good conditions. In most cases, this would put higher and safer numbers on the speed limit signs. In most cases, posting 85th percentile limits produces the smoothest and safest traffic flow with the fewest accidents. The UK used this method on most roads until the early 1990s when some VERY skilled GATSO sales people convinced authorities that speed cameras plus posted limits deliberately set artificially low and below the safety-optimum 85th percentile level would yield better results. They don't, and this report is further proof that speed cameras are an anti-safety program, not a safety program. See the science on using the safest 85th percentile speed limits on the website of British Drivers Association www.abd.org.uk and on our website. James C. Walker, National Motorists Association, www.motorists.org, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA (frequent visitor to Britain to see family in Yorkshire)
expo65
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 06:38 PMHyped and concentrated on deaths only , but what about giving fuller picture of all the accidents on our county roads , specially after the greedy NCC switched our street lights off. Let us have full details from NCC POLICE about drink, drug , speed, mobile users, and accidents in dark for the whole county. That will give us a better informed picture , if the work done by so called Road Safety specialist is been delivered. Just giving one kind of figure does not give a true picture of the performance by people responsible to make our roads safer.
Reverend
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 01:07 PMNot sure we deserve to have them listed individually as it serves no useful purpose, but I'd be very interested in finding out how many involved alcohol in some way.
362victoriaroad
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 12:20 PMThe comments from the Police and SR are risible. When the cameras were on, various authorities claimed that they were responsible for keeping roads safe (an argument which was always difficult to maintain when fatal accidents on the road fluctuated upwards).I have never been completely against speed cameras but have been consistently annoyed by the misuse of statistics by people who think this blunt instrument (like CCTV) is so very effective. The police comment is typically mealy-mouthed, keeping a straight bat when they realise (and that particular penny drops so very, very slowly), when they look as if they have got it wrong. Cars and articulated lorries speed through Roade every day - some of them on mobile phones on a dangerous double bend. The nearest camera to this is half a mile away. They slow down for that then speed away.
HOS
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 09:21 AMThe government have lost their tax revenue from "greed" camera's and lost tax revenue from the motorist who cannot afford to pay the £1 in tax paid on every litre of petrol. They have lost tax revenue with all the jobs they have destroyed. I can feel another war coming on.... got any more tax you can pay them?
lady muck
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 08:28 AMSteve Riches...not just fewer journeys, but slower driving, safer cars, tougher driving tests and (due to high insurance costs), possibly fewer young drivers.....(This won't stop the 'speed cameras were useless and probably caused accidents brigade).
SteveRiches
Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 08:02 AMThe drop in fatalities is of course welcome, but before people start making claims about speed cameras or safety measures they would do well to consider the more likely reason: there are so many fewer car journeys due to the swingeing and rising costs of fuel. The same sort of statistics are being recorded in other European countries with high fuel taxes.
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