New 24/7 cameras to be installed to tackle speeding in Derby City

Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, Derbyshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, is funding two new re-deployable speed cameras to support the work to improve road safety in Derby.

The PCC is working in partnership with Derby City Council to pilot this additional approach to tackling speeding, with the Council providing locations for the cameras. The initial locations agreed for installation are Boulton Lane and Duffield Road in Derby.  This has been based on speeding concerns being raised by the public and historical evidence of collisions occurring on the roads where the cameras will be cited.

Once installed, the data collected from the cameras will be used to measure the speeds of the vehicles passing, and the effectiveness of the cameras and the resulting warnings.

However, the cameras can be moved as required to speeding hotspots in Derby City to boost enforcement activity and support the local Community Speed Watch groups. These cameras can be placed in areas where it is not possible for CREST to enforce speed limits and Community SpeedWatch cannot operate due to safety concerns or unsuitable road layouts. The technology will provide 24/7 imaging coverage and will be able to clock vehicles across two lanes and in both directions.

Community Speed Watch schemes, run by teams of volunteers who work with Derbyshire's Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), monitor and record the speed and registration of speeding vehicles in their communities. Motorists who flout the law are written to as part of an educational tactic to encourage them to slow down. If data proves a driver is consistently ignoring warnings, they will receive a visit from a roads policing officer.

The warning process which detects speeding motorists through the new cameras will follow a similar pattern.

The pilot scheme will cost in the region of £60k, with funding agreed in 23/24, and longer-term plans will be considered following evaluation at the end of the first year.

Road safety, and in particular speeding vehicles, emerged as a top priority for residents in the Commissioner's recent survey.  Having launched her Police and Crime Plan, she is now embarking on a pro-active programme of activity in support of residents' key concerns.

Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: "Having talked to so many local residents who have voiced their concerns about speeding and road safety in the City, and it was raised as a key concern in my recent consultation, making it a priority, I was determined to act swiftly. 

"We know that these cameras have an impact wherever they are located and I very much hope that motorists will take heed and follow the speed limits.  Speeding remains one of the main causes of serious injury on our roads.  We can help to reduce that risk, and as a society we should do all that we can to deter motorists from driving too fast - vehicles are also deadly weapons in the wrong hands."

Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said: "I'm delighted that we're able to take part in this trial. While many people drive responsibly on our streets, there is still a minority that drive dangerously. This only creates more risk for themselves, other motorists and pedestrians, so it's vital that we do what we can to tackle it and create safer streets for our city."

The cameras will also serve as a useful tool for data collection as they can record traffic volume and the speeds of all passing vehicles, to be shared with relevant agencies.

A similar pilot scheme has been conducted in Hertfordshire, with the cameras installed there showing great success. Within eight months of their introduction, the number of vehicles recorded travelling over 50mph reduced from 22 to one per month.