Cameras right to tackle speed concerns?

With 19 accidents recorded at the black spot between January 2010 and October 2018, there has been much speculation on social media as to whether this might be described as Guernsey’s most dangerous stretch of road?

However most discussion will centre on whether the proposal for raised boxes, such as those seen at courtesy crossings on the Bridge and at the Grammar School, along the sea front at Cobo and the filter at the Longfrie, would be the best one.

Traffic & Highway Services said that speed was invariably to blame for all these accidents, and despairs that calming measures it has tried so far, including painting markings on the road and electronic speed indicators, have not shown any signs of making a difference.

While some islanders might believe that something needs to be done in this road, they will certainly disagree on the 'best' solution.

There is a case to be made that raised boxes will disrupt the lawful travel of most motorists on a busy and major road. Similar road furniture as listed above are used in very different circumstances – two for pedestrian crossings, another for a busy road with people often on the fringes of either side in the summer months, and at the Longfrie to bring attention to a filter which could be quite easily missed by motorists unaware of their surroundings.

Surely a more appropriate measure is to directly tackle the root cause of the problem – speed – on those who feel it is appropriate to place other road users at risk, rather than to hit all motorists.

Speed cameras have been mooted for the first time on island roads, but fall outside Traffic & Highways’ remit and would be the responsibility of Home Affairs. Worthy of an experiment though?

We might hope that a combination of cameras and rigorous enforcement could change behaviours, while not disrupting those whose drive appropriately. Such a tactic has worked in other areas of traffic management.

The consultation on the proposals runs until 28 June. It is a genuine opportunity to have a say.