Average Speed Cameras Launched in London to Reduce Car Accidents

Authorities hoping for cut in road traffic accidents on major A-road

New cameras designed to measure a motorist’s average speed across long stretches of road are to be installed on a stretch of the A13 in east London, it has been announced. It is hoped that the cameras, which will become operational this summer, will cut accidents on the 7 and a half mile stretch of road between the London suburbs of Canning Town and Dagenham.

This particular stretch of road has, according to Transport for London, has seen over 500 road traffic accidents since 2006, which have resulted in 3 deaths and 34 serious injuries. Half of these accidents have been attributed to drivers speeding along the flat, straight dual carriageway, which currently has a 40 mph speed limit in force. After being fitted with the new cameras, some sections of this road will have their speed limits raised to 50 mph as traffic is expected to flow more smoothly than at present.

According to the UK speed camera database website, the average speed camera system uses number-plate recognition technology, of the kind fitted to some police cars, to identify individual cars. As a vehicle drives along a section of road fitted with the average speed cameras, each camera takes a picture of the vehicle and also records the time at which the picture was taken. By matching up the pictures using the number-plate recognition technology, a computer can calculate the time it took a vehicle to travel the whole distance, enabling the average speed to be calculated. Motorists found to be breaking the speed limit will likely face the standard penalty of 3 points on their licence and a £60 fine.

Accidents on the A13 road in London

The A13 has been chosen to be fitted with these cameras as it has one of the highest accident rates of any major road in London, with around a fifth more accidents than the average. If you have been involved in an accident caused by a speeding motorist on this stretch of road and you have been injured, then Camps Solicitors would like to hear from you.

Provided your accident has happened in the last 2 years, and you weren’t at fault, our road accident lawyers could help you to bring a road traffic accident compensation claim against the motorist or motorists responsible for your injuries.