Research (from the Highways Agency) shows that, at sites where major road works are being carried out, the number of crashes occurring increases compared to the same situation on the same stretch of road without the road works. The use of cameras to enforce a temporary speed limit reduces this figure to the level that existed before the road works were initiated.
A temporary speed limit is used by highways authorities because:
- The temporary road surface may have low skid resistance. Coupled with poor weather conditions, this could prove dangerous.
- There may be no road markings (white lines), cat’s eyes, narrow lanes or contra flows. If the works are on the motorway, there may be no hard shoulder.
- Drivers may be hesitating if junctions or turnings have been temporarily closed.
For more information on motorway and dual carriageway safety visit the Highways Agency’s website by clicking on the following link: Highways Agency – smart motorway driving.
