Speed Cameras: An Effectiveness and a Policy Review

The objective of this research was to: review what the research literature has to say about the role of illegal speed in traffic crashes; examine the role of speed cameras in reducing speeding; examine the safety effectiveness of speed cameras; and illuminate implementation issues that can "make or break" a speed camera program by gaining public acceptance for, or generating fierce public opposition to, photographic enforcement of speed limits. The report concludes that speeding enhances crash risk and severity and that speed cameras reduce both speeding and crash severity. Implementation issues, however, are highly problematical, and a poorly implemented automated speed enforcement program can easily undermine public support.