Copyright jerseyeveningpost
A NEW mobile speed camera that will track down speeding drivers has arrived in Jersey, the Police chief has confirmed. In a quarterly hearing with the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, Robin Smith said that the new device arrived in the Island last week. He said the “very sophisticated” camera was currently undergoing calibration with officers and that it would be deployed on local roads “very soon”. The safety camera forms part of the government’s Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan, published earlier this year, which included a section about using technology to address “high-speed, high-risk drivers”. It stated: “Tools like safety cameras, which can automate speed enforcement, can help identify inappropriate speeds and driving behaviour as well as habitual high-speed offenders. “By focusing enforcement on areas with the greatest risk, we can create a strong deterrent effect that encourages responsible driving across the network.” Ahead of its arrival, several police officers have undergone training to support the camera’s rollout. The new camera can be placed anywhere in Jersey and is set to be in operation by the end of the year, although the police have not yet disclosed exact details of how it will be used or how speeding drivers will be penalised. Although it was expected much earlier in the year, in yesterday’s Scrutiny hearing Mr Smith said he hopes the device will “act as a deterrent” but that expectations must be managed as “it is one camera”. “We want to see if it works for us in encouraging people to drive more slowly or within limits,” Mr Smith added. “That bit of kit will be deployed very soon. We are looking at what is described as a ‘soft launch’.” Mr Smith added that he intends to update the Scrutiny panel with results following deployment at subsequent meetings.
