How do average speed cameras work?

Average speed cameras use number plate recognition technology to calculate the time it takes for a vehicle to travel over a specific stretch of road, monitoring the average speed.

What is the impact of average speed cameras on road accidents?

Research indicates that average speed cameras can significantly reduce road accidents, with studies showing a decrease of up to 36% in fatal and serious collisions.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Dorset's Roads Get New Speed Cameras

Dorset's Roads Get New Speed Cameras

Q: Where are the new average speed cameras being installed in Dorset?

New average speed cameras are being installed on the A35 in the villages of Winterbourne Abbas, Morcombelake, and Chideock, east of Dorchester.

30 Jan

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Summary

Average speed cameras are being installed on the A35 in Dorset.
These cameras use number plate recognition to monitor average speed.
Studies show average speed cameras reduce accidents by up to 36%.

Motorists driving through Dorset will soon face new average speed cameras (ASCs) as part of an initiative to improve road safety. These cameras, which employ number plate recognition technology, are set to be installed on the A35 in the villages of Winterbourne Abbas, Morcombelake, and Chideock, east of Dorchester. Unlike traditional cameras that measure speed at a single point, ASCs calculate the time taken to travel between two points, making them harder to 'game'.

National Highways has announced this development, which has strong support from Dorset Police and road safety organizations. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) welcomed the evidence-backed initiative, noting its potential to address recent collision statistics. Research from the RAC Foundation has previously shown that ASCs can lead to a significant reduction in accidents, with a decrease of 36% in fatal and serious collisions observed on roads where they were implemented.