An international study of speed cameras shows that they directly improve safety and reduce road crashes. Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia have studied speed camera analysis from Australia, Germany, United States, Hong Kong, Britain, New Zealand, Finland, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark.
They found that the cameras reduced the standard speed by as much as 15 per cent and that they cut the percentage of vehicles that exceeded speed limits by as much as 65 per cent. The presence of cameras also lowered the number of crashes by up to 49 per cent and the number of fatal crashes by as much as 44per cent.
Even though the studies were in no way consistent, being from so many different nations, enough solid evidence was found to conclude that speed cameras not only reduce speeds but reduce crashes and fatalities as well.
The analysis also suggested that the speed camera effect is as definitive in rural settings as it is in urban ones. There was no great disparity of results no matter into what sort of area the cameras had been placed.
In general, the study concludes that speed cameras are a worthwhile investment internationally for slowing traffic and reducing crashes.
