GATSO. A ROAD SAFETY SUCCESS STORY

This article evaluates the successful prospects of the growing UK-wide network of GATSO speed and traffic light cameras. These cameras are effectively reducing speeds and stopping driving through red lights to an extent that surprises even their originators. 'GATSO' abbreviates the name of the system's inventor, Maurice Gatsonides. The GATSO was first used in the UK in Nottingham in 1987, after a multi-fatal accident there. London trials of the traffic light cameras started in February 1989, in Marylebone Road near the centre and Hanger Lane in the Western outskirts. All of the first 1000 infringements detected led to successful prosecutions. The first trials of the speed cameras began in 1990 on Twickenham Bridge, to the west of London. The cameras became fully operational in the London area in October 1992, by which time the newly amended Road Traffic Act allowed the admissibility of photographic evidence alone for speeding. The public seem to resent such evidence being used to prosecute them for speed violations more than having it used for red light violations. The use of warning signs with the cameras has dramatically reduced the number of offenders, thus achieving the police's first objective, to prevent crime. The work of both types of cameras is complementary. Even more accidents will be prevented when the next camera is approved. This camera will be able to monitor both the green and the red light phase and car speed.

• Corporate Authors:

  ADVANCED MILE-POSTS PUBLICATIONS LTD

  IAM HOUSE, 359 CHISWICK HIGH ROAD
  LONDON,   United Kingdom  W4 4HS
• Authors:
  • TOOGOOD, J
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 32-6
• Serial:
  • MILESTONES
  • Volume: WINTER
  • Publisher: ADVANCED MILE-POSTS PUBLICATIONS LTD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Automatic control; Automation; Crimes; Detection and identification; Detectors; Prevention; Recording; Red; Red interval (Traffic signal cycle); Safety; Speed limits; Television; Traffic signals; Urban areas
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 2267: Attitude (psychol); 3882: Automatic; 9115: Detection; 1516: Offence; 6969: Recording; 539: Red light; 624: Speed limit; 6949: Television; 565: Traffic signal; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00663342
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 24 1994 12:00AM