Worcestershire | Archive | 2003 | November | 07
From the archive, first published Friday 7th Nov 2003.
WITH reference to the long-running debate on speed cameras, your photograph accompanying Ben Eaton's letter (You Say, Tuesday, October 28) says it all.
It shows the pelican crossing on City Walls Road, with the traffic lights clearly showing green allowing the traffic to flow.
We have three pedestrians who obviously do not have the patience to await the "green man" signal to allow them to cross safely.
We have two other pedestrians who place the effort in taking a short walk of about 20 yards or less above that of their self-preservation.
The vast majority of accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles are the sole fault of the pedestrian.
Yes, the higher the speed, the more serious the injury will be. But if pedestrians cannot see a ton-and-a-half of metal coming at them at 35mph they are unlikely to see it coming at 30mph.
I seem to recall that many years ago there was an offence of "jay walking". Perhaps it should be reintroduced.
All road users should be aware of road safety and not expect drivers to be responsible for all other road users.
One final point for Heather Mead's benefit, yes the siting of the camera in City Walls road has reduced the percentage of drivers exceeding the speed limit.
But it is only at that precise location. Once the regular users of the road pass the location the speed picks up again as it does where most fixed cameras are sited.
B MURRAY,
Worcester.
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