Skip to main content

French speed cameras prevented 15,000 fatal road crashes in 7 years, study claims

The installation of speed cameras in France prevented around 15,000 fatal and 62,000 non-fatal road accidents between November 2003 and December 2010, according to a study in the international review Accident Analysis and Prevention. The mortality rate per 100,000 vehicles is said to have fallen 42% from 1.86 in November 2003 to 1.07 in October 2010. A second study found that speed cameras were most effective at reducing excessive speed infractions (more than 20km/h over the limit) and moderate speed infrac
April 8, 2013 Read time: 1 min
The installation of speed cameras in France prevented around 15,000 fatal and 62,000 non-fatal road accidents between November 2003 and December 2010, according to a study in the international review Accident Analysis and Prevention. The mortality rate per 100,000 vehicles is said to have fallen 42% from 1.86 in November 2003 to 1.07 in October 2010.

A second study found that speed cameras were most effective at reducing excessive speed infractions (more than 20km/h over the limit) and moderate speed infractions (between 10 and 20km/h over the limit), with the percentage of fatal accidents falling from 25% to 6% and 13% to 9% respectively between 2001 and 2010. The number of minor speed infractions (less than 10km/h over the limit) remained stable, but the percentage of fatal accidents rose from 7% to 13%.

Related Content

  • John Hopkins report: iRAP boosts safety
    May 17, 2024
    A paper and report from Johns Hopkins University suggests that 700,000 deaths and severe injuries have been prevented through road safety projects using the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) methodology.
  • Road safety improvements have been seen in France and Turkey
    April 13, 2012
    Both France and Turkey have seen road safety improvements. In Turkey the latest data shows a slight fall in traffic accident fatalities. A recent National Police Department (NPD) research from Turkey indicates that over 10 people die/day in traffic accidents in the country. The research spans the period from 1985 to the end of 2011 and reveals that 3,440,635 were injured in traffic accidents and 152,468 people were killed. But by adding people who died in hospital afterwards, the death count is expected to
  • Cutting speed to cut crashes and boost safety
    February 10, 2021
    Cutting speed can help cut crashes and boost safety.
  • UK support for speed cameras is high, except in London and north-east
    November 6, 2015
    A national UK survey by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has shown that although most drivers support speed cameras, people in London and north-east are less enthusiastic. The survey polled 1,000 drivers of all age groups across Britain and asked “It is now common for the authorities to use speed cameras at the side of the road to identify vehicles involved in speeding offences. How acceptable do you think this is?” The national average is 79% but only 69% of Londoners said it was acceptable, do