News and Events
Confused motorists fall foul of roadworks cameras
June 14, 2007
Around 11 “confused” drivers a day are being caught out by cameras which record average speeds on the city bypass.
The cameras enforce a reduced limit of 40mph between Old Craighall and Sheriffhall roundabouts while roadworks take place nearby.
They measure the average speed between two cameras about one kilometre apart - but police chiefs think motorists are confusing them with conventional “one-off” speed traps.
A total of 157 drivers were caught out in the first two weeks after the cameras were introduced on May 13. This figure was much higher than experienced with average speed camera schemes elsewhere in the country.
The “SPECS” cameras will be in place until December and are designed to protect workers building a new interchange for the A68 Dalkeith bypass.
Chief Inspector Sandy Allan of Lothian and Borders road policing unit said: “The number of speeding offences detected at the roadworks is unusually high for an average safety camera system.
“This type of safety camera is new to our region but has been used successfully on major road projects elsewhere in Scotland. The speed limit has been set at 40mph to ensure the safety of the workforce engaged at the works.
“By deploying this specific device we aim to ensure motorists heed this limit throughout the works.”
He added: “Motorists are very familiar with our fixed-site safety cameras but I would emphasise that these are different.”