Safety cameras are putting the brakes on dangerous drivers

22nd May 2025

Average speed cameras in West Yorkshire have been shown to reduce speeding offences by three quarters.

A set of new cameras covering Stanningley Bypass in Leeds have captured 911 offences in their first year which is down from 4,077 the previous year using fixed static spot speed cameras.

The dramatic improvement in safety will undoubtedly mean lives saved as national figures show speeding contributes to around half of all fatal collisions in Britain.

To put that into context, in 2023, 50 people were killed in road collisions in West Yorkshire and a further 1,400 people had their lives changed forever due to serious injuries.

Beyond the immeasurable human tragedy there is also a financial cost to society, with each fatality on our roads estimated to cost £2.4m.

Safety cameras are used in West Yorkshire to enforce speed limits and red-light traffic signals.

They are managed by the Safety Camera Partnership, who launched a new strategy in February 2023 outlining their commitment to saving lives through preventing crashes. 

It included that cameras may be deployed with or without the use of warning signs, reducing risk by encouraging safe speeds throughout the county and not just in the vicinity of cameras.

The strategy also set out the ability to respond to speeding concerns from members of the public through what’s known as community concern sites.

Anyone worried about speeding in their local area can report a community concern site through their local council. This information will be assessed and can lead to different interventions, but if suitable, mobile safety cameras will be deployed. 

We visited a community concern site in Farsley and spoke to local people who were supportive of the scheme.

Paul Jeffrey, police lead for the West Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership said: “Average speed enforcement is reducing the risk of collisions, and we are working with local highways teams to extend the use of this technology across West Yorkshire. 

“Additionally, by responding to community speeding concerns and deploying safety camera vans, we are seeing significant reductions in the number of offences detected after the initial deployment phase, suggesting a notable increase in road safety. 

“Reducing risk through education remains a priority in dealing with lower-level offences. Between April and December 2024, 110,196 eligible drivers were offered an approved retraining course as an alternative to prosecution. 

“We remain committed to working with communities to prevent the human tragedy associated with speed related collisions as part of our contribution to achieving our Vision Zero ambition.”

West Yorkshire Vision Zero was officially launched last year and aims to prevent road death and serious injury in the region, reducing casualties to zero by 2040. 

The unifying goal is backed by local authorities, emergency services, National Highways and victim support services.

Alison Lowe OBE, Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “Everyone has a right to be safe on our roads and no-one has the right to put others in danger.

“Too many people are missing loved ones because of speeding drivers. These tragedies are wholly preventable, and safety cameras play a crucial role in that.

“Through Vision Zero, we want to encourage everyone to do their bit, but for those that will continue to speed, you will be caught, sooner or later.”