Scotland's Speed Cameras Switched Off Amidst Rising Offences

Police Scotland has deactivated 135 speed cameras across Scotland, a move that has drawn significant criticism as speeding offences have increased in many of these areas. This information was only disclosed after Scotland's Information Commissioner compelled Police Scotland to release the data, overriding the force's initial refusal to provide details.

Official justifications claimed that deactivated sites had no speed-related injury collisions and showed consistent speed limit compliance. However, data obtained by the Mail on Sunday reveals that some cameras caught more speeding drivers in a month before being switched off than in the entire preceding year. For instance, a camera on the A1 at Cockburnspath recorded 72 speeding offences in March 2024 before deactivation, double its 2023 monthly average.

Residents in Giffnock, near Glasgow, report that a camera near a playpark, in place for 25 years, was turned off, turning Rouken Glen Road into a 'racetrack' with subsequent collisions. Similarly, residents in Lanarkshire noted frequent crashes after two cameras on the A80 were deactivated. Safety charities argue that deactivating cameras sends a message that speeding and running red lights have no consequences.

The Scottish Government stated decisions are based on collision data and speed compliance, not ticket numbers. Safety Cameras Scotland indicated that assessments are made over three years, with potential to reintroduce cameras if speeds or collisions increase. Meanwhile, Scotland is also piloting AI cameras to catch drivers using phones or not wearing seatbelts, alongside existing Low Emission Zones.