More London drivers are obeying the rules and not jumping red lightsaccording to figures released by the Metropolitan Police. The number ofmotorists caught jumping red lights over the last five years reached apeak of over 50,000 in 2005, as the number of cameras and level ofenforcement increased, but the number being fined has dropped rapidly inthe last two years. Since the number of cameras and level of enforcementhas been maintained since 2005, the drop in prosecutions implies thatdrivers are changing their behaviour.
Jenny Jones said:
"These figures show that proper and consistent enforcement of the rulesof the road will lead to a change in behaviour. A few years ago,London’s lawless roads had become notorious for bad driving, a lack ofcourtesy and people driving without insurance or proper registration. Itwill take years to turn that culture around, but the increase inactivity by traffic police over the last few years and the recent clampdown on illegal vehicles, are both hopeful signs. I hope that the newmayor will take road safety as seriously as his predecessor. Gettingpeople to obey the rules of the road is not just about saving lives andstopping injuries, it is also about communities in London reclaimingtheir streets and treating them as spaces for everyone, not just cardrivers."
Notes
The information was provided by the Mayor’s Office in response toquestion Q1007/2008.
2003 – 18,694 2004 – 37,2642005 – 50,2172006 – 36,7982007 – 29,401
These figures are a combination of data from roadside traffic cameras,tickets where the Borough Office Command Unit (BOCU) of issue cannot beidentified and officers who are not attached to a BOCU e.g. TrafficPolice Officers.