Research undertaken by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) into motorists’ attitude towards speed cameras has revealed some interesting results.

Interestingly, a majority of drivers were in favour of speed cameras being installed in appropriate places on the UK road network.

car insurance premiums may rise if you are caught speeding

The majority of motorists are in favour of speed cameras.

If speed cameras lead to motorists curtailing their speed to keep within the designated speed limit that will lead to fewer accidents, fewer deaths on the roads, fewer car insurance claims and, hopefully, help to contain rises in car insurance premiums.

The research showed that 85% of drivers who took part in the survey believed speed cameras to be responsible for the reduction in deaths on UK roads since the 1990s.

Speed awareness courses were felt by 72% of people to be of benefit in improving safety on the roads.

Back in 2007 the IAM carried out a similar survey that revealed 70% of drivers were in favour of speed cameras so the latest survey has shown a hardening in support of cameras.

Simon Best who is the chief executive of IAM, stated: “Simply catching and fining drivers does not change drivers’ awareness of the hazards of excessive speed.”

Interestingly, 45% of drivers believe that speed cameras are mainly used as a money making scheme.

If you are caught speeding you usually have two options-have 3 points placed on your driving license and pay a £60 fine or attend a speed awareness course and pay about £80 but have no points on your license. Until recently, car insurance companies would only increase your premiums if the former took place but in recent weeks certain car insurers are now increasing premiums even when someone attends a speed awareness course.

The place in the UK that had least public support for speed cameras was in Wales where 32% of drivers did not like them. Interestingly Wales has the worst speeding record with 27% of motorists stating that they either knew someone who had been caught speeding or had done so themselves. In Scotland the figure was 14% and in England 19%.

No doubt if research was specifically available for drivers of classic cars it would be interesting to get their opinion on speed cameras. In any event a classic car is probably far less likely to break some of the speed limits on the UK road network