Average speed cameras to '˜go live' on Brighton seafront

Traffic cameras will measure drivers' average speed along Brighton seafront from tomorrow (March 28).
Average speed camera EMN-150412-155909001Average speed camera EMN-150412-155909001
Average speed camera EMN-150412-155909001

They replace ‘fixed’ speed cameras, which photograph vehicles breaking the speed limit at one point in the road.

Instead, average speed cameras measure the average speed of a vehicle between two points.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The new cameras, at Marine Parade and Madeira Drive, will be turned on tomorrow. Brighton will become one of the first two permanent average speed camera points in the country, with the other being in St Leonards, East Sussex.

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) is overseeing the implementation of the cameras, and said that average speed cameras have a greater effect on driver behaviour than fixed cameras.

The aim of the average speed cameras is to improve compliance to the speed limits, and improve congestion, commuter times and safety.

A week-long survey carried out in July 2016 found that at the Brighton site - which has a 30mph limit - 8.9 per cent and 5.1 per cent of drivers (through each point of the site) were travelling above 36mph - the point at which drivers can be prosecuted.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Average speed cameras have previously been used on the A23 during the Handcross to Warninglid improvement works.

Edward Preece of the Safety Camera Team said: “These cameras were a key part of the safety initiative being applied whilst the construction was underway. This had the aim of reducing collisions, reducing injuries, and mitigating congestion issues related to a reduction in the speed limit through the road works. Journey times improved between Bolney and Pease Pottage, and we attained an improved speed limit compliance rate.”