The speed cameras in Oxfordshire that were switched off a few months ago have been reactivated after an increase in the number of deaths and injuries in the area.
The cameras had initially been switched off to save money after government cuts, however Thames Valley Police have realised that the cameras did serve a vital purpose after the increase in accidents since August. There are currently 72 fixed camera sites and an additional 89 mobile sites in the county, though it is unknown if all of these sites will be activated in the switch back on.
Thames Valley head of roads policing, Superintendent Rob Povey commented "We have shown in Oxfordshire that speed has increased through monitoring limits and we have noticed an increase in fatalities the number of people seriously injured in 2010. We know that speed enforcement does work as a deterrent to motorists."
Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport, Rodney Rose supports the decision to turn the cameras back on, stating"The county council did not delight in withdrawing funding for speed cameras last year, but took this decision to protect other service areas following a huge reduction in road safety grant from the government.
"This local solution will ensure funding is properly aligned to support the service delivery and not subject to an external grant funding process. The new process will have a higher level of active engagement with drivers who speed and will be more successful in changing driver behaviour rather than simply trying to penalise offenders in the wallet."