by Joe Jeffrey

Londoners and those in the north-east don’t seem to like speed cameras

Speed cameras. The bane of our lives or simply an effective way to reduce accidents and preserve lives?

Well, according to a study conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), we’re embracing them – to an extent.

A national survey has revealed that, although most drivers support speed cameras, there are big variation across the UK, with Londoners and those in the north-east of England showing more resistance than most when it comes to the big yellow boxes scattered across the country.

The survey polled 1,000 drivers of all age groups across Britain and posed the question: “It is now common for the authorities to use speed cameras at the side of the road to identify vehicles involved in speeding offences. How acceptable do you think this is?”

The national average of those surveyed believing this to be acceptable was 79 per cent, whereas only 69 per cent of Londoners thought it was a good thing, down from 85 per cent in 2011.

The north-east has also seen a decrease in acceptance of speed cameras, down 14 per cent from 84 per cent to 70 per cent for the same period.

When asked if those surveyed agreed with the statement “Speed cameras are only sited at places where accidents are happening,” again there was a sharp decrease, with just 37 per cent in the north-east agreeing with the statement, down from 69 per cent in 2013 and 2014. A majority of Londoners seemed to disagree too, with numbers agreeing with this statement falling from 46 per cent to 28 per cent.

While there was a very positive response across the country when asked whether speed cameras have helped contribute to the decline of fatal road accidents, the north-east also saw a dramatic fall from 91 per cent to 57 per cent.

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said of results obtained from the survey: “It is clear that most drivers accept that speed cameras are effective in reducing the numbers of people who are killed and seriously injured, but for many there is still an unfortunate link to revenue raising and a perception they are not always in the right places.

“Public support is very important when it comes to effective speed camera operation. They will respect them if they can see their effectiveness and worthiness, and theseregional variations highlight where extra work is needed to convince drivers of the benefits and to counter media perceptions and urban myths around cameras.”

What do you think? Are speed cameras a useful tool in respecting speed limits and saving lives, or are they more trouble than what they’re worth?

by Joe Jeffrey

Tyre experts, TyreSafe, urge those taking advantage of half-term to check their tyres before they set off

With many families about to take a break during the school half-terms, TyreSafe is reminding mums, dads and all drivers to ensure they’re keeping the risks to a minimum by practising #SafeTyreChecks.

October is typically the wettest month of the year and coincides with the onset of colder weather, a combination which places high demands on the only safety feature of a vehicle which is in touch with the roads – its tyres. Most drivers are unaware that each tyre’s ‘footprint’ is about the same size as an adult’s palm, and with so much literally riding on them it’s essential to check they are in optimal condition.

“Drivers need to remember that brakes, steering and all advanced safety systems designed to help avoid accidents depend on the vehicle having a sure footing on the road – in other words, their tyres need to be in good condition,” said Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe. “As we’re now facing an increasing number of cold and wet days, to stay safe we need to be even more attentive to tyre maintenance. Air pressure, condition and tread depth must be checked regularly, especially if you’re planning a break using a car laden with your most prized possessions – your family.”

Many drivers are aware that recommended tyre pressures for a vehicle vary to suit the weight of the load it is carrying, but far too many are complacent and don’t take the time to make this important adjustment before they set off with their families. Typically, the unladen and laden pressures are on a plaque either inside the fuel filler flap or in the door shut, but they are sure to be found in the handbook. Incorrect pressures not only increase wear and decrease fuel efficiency but also make the tyre more vulnerable to sudden deflation.

A tyre’s tread depth is a particularly important factor in cold and wet conditions as the more worn it becomes, the longer your car will take to stop. Checking is easy and takes just a few minutes using the 20p test as the outer band of a 20-pence piece is 1.6mm, which is the minimum legal tread depth.

To check how close you are to that limit, place the 20p in the main grooves in the centre section of your tyre: if you can’t see the outer band above the tread, then check at two other points across the width and repeat at two more places further round the circumference. If you can see the 20p’s outer band at any point or are unsure, you need to get the tyres checked by a professional as the tyre maybe illegal and dangerous. If you something in the grooves, like a stone, remove it if you are able to do so.

While you’re checking the tread depth, you should also ensure the tyres are in good condition, looking out for cracks, lumps, bumps or embedded objects. Tyre manufacturers don’t produce tyres with bulges or screws in them, so if you see anything suspiciously out of the ordinary, get it checked by a professional.

TyreSafe recommends these checks are done at least once a month and before long journeys.

The onset of winter weather is the reason why TyreSafe runs its annual Tyre Safety Month campaign in October. A photo contest on TyreSafe’s Facebook page and TyreSafe’s Twitter channel provides another incentive to Britain’s drivers to conduct these routine checks with the chance to win up to £300 of tyres. To win, entrants simply need to post a photo showing where they last did their tyre safety checks along with a caption.