Scotland gets SPECS

Work is underway on the first SPECS safety camera system to be introduced into Scotland.

The system will be used on a 46 kilometre stretch of the A77, from Bogend Toll, north of Ayr, to Ardwell, south of Girvan. As in England, the system measures the speed of vehicles along the stretch of road, rather than at just one point. It is due to come into operation in mid-July 2005.

“The primary aim of the safety cameras is to influence driver behaviour and to improve safety along the route. Catching increased numbers of speeding motorists is not the aim.” said Neil Macgillivray from the Stratchclyde Safety Camera Partnership.

A total of 314 accidents have occurred on the specific section of the A77 between January 1999, and May 2004, resulting in 15 fatalities and 78 serious injuries. The camera system being installed costs £750,000, and will be run by Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership, as a result of work by ‘multi-agency task force, the A77 Safety Group’.

As always the SPECS cameras will be forward facing, so can only capture front numberplates.