Matthew Xuereb
ADT mulls installing dummy speed cameras
The Malta Transport Authority does not exclude installing dummy speed cameras to slow down traffic or move present cameras around without notice "in the interest of safer roads".
Speaking to The Times, the authority's traffic expert, David Sutton, said that in Malta, unlike many other countries, motorists were given clear advance warning of a speed camera and the speed limit.
"This in itself is probably too generous as it transmits the counter idea that it is ok to drive at speed where there are no cameras. This is why several traffic enforcement authorities in Europe move cameras around without warning or put up fake cameras in full view of motorists who slow down because of the risk of being fined even if, unknown to them, such risk does not exist. ADT has not yet adopted these practices in Malta but does not exclude doing so if these are found to be in the interest of safer roads," he said.
Mr Sutton staunchly defended the ADT's decision to install eight new speed cameras in five localities.
Speed cameras captured 27,349 over-speeding cars on film, leading to the collection of €2.17 million in fines. The number of fines dropped slightly to 25,123 in 2007 and again to 17,477 in 2008. A total of €1.5 million and €1.4 million were collected in fines in 2007 and 2008.
Mr Sutton explained that 17 per cent of the revenue levied from speeding fines was re-invested in road safety advertising campaigns.
Shrugging off criticism that the speed cameras were cash cows, Mr Sutton said the sole purpose was to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents. Research into long-term trends in the UK has shown a 33 per cent drop in accidents at sites where fixed-speed cameras were installed, he said.
He said that, since 2005, the ADT received 50 applications from local councils for the installation of speed cameras. After assessing the proposed locations rigorously, only 13 sites have met the required criteria to date.
Also defending the speed limits chosen, Mr Sutton said the ADT had carried out 85th percentile speed tests using a speed radar gun in free-flowing conditions. He explained that a speed limit was set to the speed that separated the bottom 85 per cent of vehicles from the top 15 per cent.
Replying to criticism that the ADT did not stick to the results of such tests when setting the speed limit at just 60 kilometres an hour, specifically on the Tal-Barrani Road, Mr Sutton said: "The 85th percentile is an indicator of appropriate speed but not the last word on what limit should be imposed".
He confirmed the installation of other speed cameras on the St Paul's Bay Bypass and the Coast Road.
EU estimates indicated that excessive speeding was the cause of one third of all fatal or serious road traffic accidents. EU member states, including Malta, were committed to halve the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads by next year.
The use of speed cameras was recognised throughout Europe as an effective way of reducing road traffic fatalities. In France, for example, a fixed camera safety scheme was introduced across the country in 2003 and inter-city fatalities dropped by 34 per cent, he said.
The speed cameras that were first installed on the island brought about a decrease in average speeds in the areas where they had been mounted.
In Malta, motorists who surpassed the speed limit by up to 15 km/hr paid a fine of €34.94 and those who went beyond this 15 km/hr mark were fined €68.88. He said such fines were among the lowest in the EU, adding that some countries, like France, levied fines of between €90 and €3,800 for individual speeding offences with a possibility of imprisonment.
"I think I can speak on behalf of local councils and the ADT when I say that we are not at all interested in the monies levied in fines and would rather have cameras with the effect of preventing speeding altogether rather than fining people who speed. People who are fined may be discouraged from speeding again next time but when speeding happens the risk of accident is there anyway," he said.
He quoted foreign studies showing that about a third of all road accidents would have been prevented had the speed been controlled. At higher speeds, drivers' reaction times are slower and the momentum of vehicles is higher. He said the Joint Transport Research Centre of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development found that with a speed of 80km/hr on a dry road it took about 22 metres to react to an event and a total of 57 metres to come to a standstill.
"If a child runs onto the road 26 metres ahead, the driver would most likely kill the child if driving at 70km/hr or more, hurt the child if driving at 60km/hr and avoid hitting the child if driving at 50km/hr."
Mr Sutton said the speed cameras were not causing congestion. Reacting to the argument that the cameras are increasing emissions, he said studies by the UK Department of Transport showed that the optimal speed of cars in terms of emissions - the speed at which cars should ideally drive to emit the least harmful emissions - was 60km/hr.
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Adrian Cardona
Mar 18th 2009, 12:07
If Mr Sutton removed his head from behind his desk he might even notice that car GPS navigators nowadays have speed camera locations inserted into their database. So much for his grand assertion that he and his Fantozzi Club are being generous to us by putting up street signs to tell us where they are.
And how can you say in one sentence that said Fantozzi Club used the 85th percentile technique to arrive at a speed limit, and then say in the next one that they can ignore it and set a limit which showed up on the bottom of their teacup??!!
You are just showing what an amateur you are...I suppose that's why you have been employed here and not in any other half-decent country!
john fenech
Mar 17th 2009, 01:55
If a speed camera is deployed as per the recommendations of the UK Department of Traffic. That is after a 3 – 5 year study period of collision data. Would it be best practice to relocate the camera and exposed the first location to previous hazards? Is this a professional safety practice?
If a child is left unattended on thoroughfare than his minders should be jailed without reprieve!! Braking distances are subject to car make, road condition, driver’s condition/ age and time of day. Therefore Mr Sutton compare like for like.
So far you made several suppositions but failed to explain the method which establishing the original speed limit at several main roads? How will the St Venera speed cameras contributing towards road safety? The 85 percentile speeds should be collected to demonstrate the level of non compliance with the speed limits. At all the sites tested the speed limit was not violated. So what was the criterion for lowering the speed limit?
Environmental Protection UK (http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/) Steady your speed – at around 50mph (80 kph) emissions will be lowest, rising dramatically above 70mph (110 kph).
J. Sammut
Mar 16th 2009, 23:04
Since when have the fines been based on the travelled speed. The only time I was caught by one of these cameras travelling 3km over the limit, I was charged eur68.88 and NOT eur34.94
Good thing I moved to the UK, were both speed limits (which are decent) and speed cameras are appropriately displayed. Malta is becoming rediculous
Gianluca Calleja
Mar 16th 2009, 22:09
It is true that in other countries one is advised of the speed camera beforehand. I have witnessed it in Italy and Germany!! maybe it's about time that these ignorant people stand down and normal people take up their place... waste of money.. waste of taxes..
peter Lawton
Mar 16th 2009, 18:50
To the expert Mr Sutton. I can assure you that in the UK and most EU countries speed cameras must be plainly visible and signs informing of their existance. Perhaps you should do your homework before making false statements.
Joseph Cauchi
Mar 16th 2009, 15:12
ADT and the Minister Austin Gatt are still treating the Maltese motorist as an IMBECILE!
../..
A. Saliba
Mar 16th 2009, 14:55
"The ADT has managed - wrongly - to mix up the issue of speed cameras with that of speed limits. What is irking the public is not really the presence of speed cameras, but the arbitrary lowering of speed limits."
This.
Also, the speed cameras are only slowing down cars for 5-10 seconds; most people merely zoom down the St Venera tunnels, for example, at 100km/hr and then simply slow down at the exit. The cameras are also causing numerous bumper-to-bumper accidents. I've already witnessed two 3-4 car pile-ups in the St Venera tunnels alone.
J Farrugia
Mar 16th 2009, 14:30
In no country do they have traffic carraige ways of one and an half vehicle, and a centre strip which can receive a helicopter; only in Malta. As to his suggestion that speed cameras are not causing any congestions, just take a look at the roads where there is a camera installed but please do not go at 10 am but at 6.00 a.m. till 8.00 am and he'll see for himself the road rages which occur at that time. As to his UK studies about emissions, he certainly doesn't know what he's talking about. Once again go into the roads and you'll see for yourself.Heaven hellp us from experts such as these and liberate us from stupid authorities such as the ADT. We were much better without it.
R Sammut
Mar 16th 2009, 12:57
"traffic enforcement authorities in Europe move cameras around without warning "
This is not true. If this were to be done, it is called entrapment and is illegal!
Charles Muscat
Mar 16th 2009, 12:54
It is a must at least in the country where I live to have a sign at least 50 miters before you get to a speed camera or red light camera to alert you otherwise it will be considered as revinue.
By any chance can anyone tell me if GPS's did exist in Malta? I have got one and it tells me what lies ahead. It alert me of speed and red light cameras and among other thing it also give me the traffic report ahead of me.
rlongo
Mar 16th 2009, 12:45
Dear mr.Sutton:
"The 85th percentile is an indicator of appropriate speed but not the last word on what limit should be imposed".
Exactly what determined a 60 km/h speed limit at the St.venera tunnel exit towards Sliema?
No pedestrian crossings/no intersections/no cyclists........it's basically a straight dual carriageway, the ramp to Psaila street being hundreds of metres away.
"in the interest of safer roads"
How about the ramp in Mdina road ( just past the coke factory ) that allows traffic to turn right onto the outer lane towards zebbug right after a curve?.....why don't you address this obvious example of what is really dangerous?
Paul Barrett
Mar 16th 2009, 12:15
The major difficulty and objection is the setting of the camera limits.
If the shown speed limit for a stretch of road is 60 then the camera should not function until a speed of 70 is exceeded. i.e., catch those that are pushing the limit well beyond just keeping to the speed limit.
With the camera set too close to the shown speed limit it is actually impairing good driving which relies on the drivers ability to glance now and then at the speedo to judge overall speed of the vehicle by becoming fixated with watching the speedo to the exclusion of everything else going on.
Some of the current speed limit signs are a total farce - a for-instance is that the Coastroad is currently set at 40 kph from the bottom of St Andrews hill right up to St Paul's Bay roundabout. Coming the other way, their is a cancellation of a 40 kph speed restriction at Ghallis bend but no start of speed restriction sign before the bend. How is anyone supposed to comply ridgedly with nonsense speed and (other) signs.
jo cachia
Mar 16th 2009, 10:51
I have some questions for Mr. Sutton.
1. Why has the speed limit been reduced from 70 to 60 KPH? (Some roads still display both limits!)
2. How many EU countries have a 60 KPH as the top speed on dual carriageways and fast roads?
3. How many children are likely to run onto these roads e.g. tal Barrani, the hal-far airport road, the regional road.
if this isn't the councils trying to take away our hard-earned and fast diminishing money, I don't know what is.
Daniel Vella
Mar 16th 2009, 10:41
"we are not at all interested in the monies levied in fines" this seems to be the new trend expressed by government and its officials to show an apparent disinterest in public funds. If you are not interested than why do you collect them in the first place? Why not re-invest them in their totality to fix our dangerous roads? The 85th percentile rule is nothing new and so extraordinary - it is a statisitcal technique applied in targeting strategies be it marketing or whatever it is you want to apply it to. Usually in evolved countires, simulation software is used in order to set speed limits and not base it on what the majority of cars are moving at. If this is not tax targeting, i challege ADT to explain to us, what is. If you are not interested in collecting fines than why set the speed limits at 60KPH and not at a higher one?
Peter Aquilina
Mar 16th 2009, 10:30
INSTALLATION OF DUMMY SPEED CAMERAS =
A GRAND IDEA TO INCREASE MOTORISTS' FRUSTRATION !!
One believes that this idea must have originated from the "dummy" patching of potholes !!
John Hughes
Mar 16th 2009, 10:26
Speed kills and nobody can dispute that. Driving at high speeds (exceeding the limits) is a hazard not just for the driver but for whoever is on the road including pedestrians. Driving at low speeds (Sunday afternoon drivers) is even more hazardous as drivers WILL overtake. Speed limits should be respected and slow drivers should be fined as they are creating a hazardous situation and making other road users frustrated. If the speed limit is 60 km/h, the speed limit for that road should be minimum 55 and maximum 65 km/h. SLOW DRIVERS should be fine and so should ALL drivers driving on the outside lane when the inner lane is free, OUTSIDE LANES SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR OVERTAKING. ADT need to invest in educating the public by means of media (TV, billboards etc.) on road safety and defensive driving, and to stop being silly by reducing the speed limit to 60 km/h on bypasses where cameras (CASH COWS) are installed. All speed cameras should have a minimum speed limit setup as well.
The biggest hazard is the state our roads are in as drivers are all over the place to avoid pot hole and bumps (coast road salina)
L..Galea
Mar 16th 2009, 10:17
What kind of expert is David Sutton?
Does he think that he can take us for a ride?
Can he tell us whether drivers are given advanced warnings in the UK?
And what is a foreigner doing working for ADT?
Don't we have Maltese experts?
We can all see what foreign experts have done to our roads, reduced them to a single lane with a runway in the middle.
Drivers, see the amounts that the ADT with its foreign experts has robbed you from your pockets.
Re fines being the lowest in the eu he should tell it to the marines because so are our wages/salaries/pensions.
Whatever you say foreigner, they are cash cows.
People, do not forget that the local councils have applied for more cash cows to rob you of your hard-earned money. Do not forget the other cash cows, namely the wardens.
Remember this when you go to vote and put your message on your ballot paper.
Re percentile speed, so if you have 85 driving at 10kmh and 15 driving at 100kmh the average works out to 23.5kmh. Is that reasonable?
Not interested in MONEY?
Who do you think can fool?
Felicity Dix
Mar 16th 2009, 10:11
In the UK average speed cameras have replaced speed cameras as they are found to be far more effective. Speed cameras result in cars braking suddenly and then speeding up again as soon as the camera has been passed. If Malta is investing in speed control technology and its prime objective is to control speed then average speed cameras is what it should be purchasing.
Phil Humphries
Mar 16th 2009, 09:58
The Prime Minister all but admitted yesterday that the VAT on car tax will have to be re-paid, so that money will have to come from somewhere. Dummy cameras are set up to reduce speed and improve road safety, whereas real cameras collect money. Any ideas which type of camera will proliferate in the coming months?
Kenneth roberts
Mar 16th 2009, 09:55
Wouldn;t it be better to spend the money on fixing the roads and make it safer for us to drive on the roads without dodging potholes and skidding on slippery road surfaces?
Tony Gaffiero
Mar 16th 2009, 09:52
The ADT has managed - wrongly - to mix up the issue of speed cameras with that of speed limits. What is irking the public is not really the presence of speed cameras, but the arbitrary lowering of speed limits. On some roads, literally within seconds, the speed limit changes from 40, to 70, then to 40, then to 60, then to 70. Does this make driving safer?
Secondly, in Europe, monitoring by police using mobile speed cameras is ALWAYS announced beforehand, on radio and newspapers. And when the police set up a speed check they enforce EXISTING speeds, not drop the limit by 20 kmh.
The Maltese public should be given correct information about the situation in Europe.