THOUSANDS of drivers have been caught speeding on the A449 between Hartlebury and Ombersley in just 10 months as part of a crackdown by West Mercia Police.
Average speed cameras on the troublesome stretch of road recorded 6,106 offences between November 2021 and August of this year. One ‘slight injury collision’ was also reported on the road which has a 50 miles per hour speed limit.
The average speed of traffic fell in the first six months since the bright yellow cameras were switched on in October 2021 and the force has reminded motorists the speed limit is enforced 24 hours a day.
Between April 2018 and October 2021, there were three fatal, four serious and five slight injury collisions on the 50mph section of the A449. Since November 2021, there has been just the one slight injury collision.
Supt Steph Brighton from West Mercia Police said “We are pleased to see reductions in both speed and in people killed and seriously injured on the A449 in Worcestershire and this was exactly what this project set out to achieve.
“However, we are not complacent and we will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of this scheme as well as working with our partners to identify ways to maintain the safety of the road, to ensure we keep communities safe and protect people from harm.
“We urge all motorists to help us by driving or riding safely, complying with the speed limit and sharing the road responsibly,” she added.
The project is a partnership between West Mercia Police, Worcestershire County Council and speed technology firm Jenoptik and was made possible through funding from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Road Safety Fund.
Cameras differ from traditional ‘spot speed’ cameras by monitoring a vehicle’s average speed over a stretch of road rather than at a single, fixed location.
Drivers are less likely to brake suddenly for a camera and are more likely to keep their speed down over a longer period, throughout the monitored zone.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “Too many people die or are seriously injured on our roads due to inappropriate speed and driver behaviour.
“The data recorded over the past 10 months proves the cameras are playing in a key role in influencing and changing driver behaviour in a positive way. ”
Ongoing evaluation will continue and will inform future decisions over how this technology can be used in other areas of West Mercia.
