Less than 1.5% of traffic lights across the UK are monitored by red light cameras, according to a recent investigation by Sky News. The findings have raised serious concerns about road safety enforcement across the country.
Many of the 157 local authorities that responded to data requests or directed Sky News to the area’s police force confirmed that they have no working red light cameras. In one area, West Northamptonshire, authorities reported deactivating their cameras in 2011.
The situation is particularly severe in Scotland, where there are just five red light cameras in place across the country. Meanwhile, in London and Greater Manchester, less than 4% of traffic lights have a red light camera, despite their high traffic volumes.
Sky News journalists also witnessed drivers consistently running red lights in Greater Manchester. The incidents occurred at a number of different junctions, suggesting the problem is common across the city.
With limited camera technology in place, police forces have turned to the public to help catch offenders. Forces are increasingly using dash cam footage submitted by other drivers of motorists who run red lights. Operation Snap, a nationwide police initiative, allows road users to upload footage of driving violations to be reviewed.
Inspector Bradley Ormesher, of Greater Manchester Police, says: “Everyone knows police can’t be everywhere, but a lot of motorists now have dash cams, so effectively they are assisting us in delivering road safety messages. We’ve seen a big increase in submissions.
“There is a bigger picture to everything, and just saving a couple of seconds by jumping a red light, you’re not thinking about wider society, are you?”
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