Surveillance cameras improve traffic safety on Finnish highways

According to a recent study conducted by the Finnish Road Administration, the traffic safety of Eastern Finnish highways has improved considerably since the first surveillance cameras were installed by the roadside around ten years ago.
     
The survey covers eight sections of highway, totalling 321 kilometres, on Highways 5, 6, and 9.
      The roads have been under automatic speed surveillance from a minimum of 18 months to a maximum of nine and a half years.
      Researchers estimate that by the end of June 2007, the number of accidents resulting in personal injuries on the sections of highway under surveillance had been reduced by 56, while the number of fatalities had dropped by 23.
     
One of the largest surveillance periods covers the 32-kilometre stretch from Leppävirta to Vehmasmäki on Highway 5.
      The survey indicates that the number of accidents on this section of highway has dropped by more than 40%, and the number of fatalities by more than 50%, while the accident rate has fallen even more after the introduction of cameras in 1997.
      The figures were compared with a reference period covering the five years preceding the introduction of cameras.
     
However, the researchers say that only part of the reductions are attributable to surveillance cameras, as road maintenance measures have also been taken, lighting of roads has been improved, and particularly winter speed limits have been reduced.
      According to surveys, the reduction of the average speed of vehicles is likely to increase safety. In Eastern Finland, speeds fell after the introduction of automatic cameras when motorists started obeying speed limits more diligently.
     
Over the period from 1992 through 2007, the number of accidents recorded on the stretch from Leppävirta to Vehmasmäki was 371.
      While the improving safety is borne out by the facts, one fatal random accident could have changed the percentages entirely.
      The majority of Finnish motorists broadly welcome the camera surveillance, indicates a survey conducted by the Technical Research Centre of Finland.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Additional 600 kilometres of roads to be taken under camera surveillance (25.5.2005)
  Behind the wheel, the Finns are the most obedient souls in Europe (21.12.2004)

See also:
  Speed cameras to monitor average speeds between two checkpoints (12.10.2007)
  Zero tolerance campaign against speeding on Highway 51 proves effective (20.9.2007)

Links:
  Finnish Road Administration
  VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland