Campaigners in Coventry are making a direct appeal to the city council, calling for the immediate installation of average speed cameras on three major local routes. They argue that safety and prevention should take precedence over statistical criteria, pushing for action on Duggins Lane, Tanners Lane and Station Avenue.
Focus on Prevention Over Statistics
The activists behind a recently launched online petition are urging Coventry City Council to prioritise what they term "peace of mind over statistics". They claim traffic speeds on these three roads have been recorded significantly above safe limits, with some vehicles reportedly reaching speeds as high as 60mph.
While acknowledging that no serious or fatal road traffic injuries have occurred on these specific stretches, the campaigners maintain there have been numerous significant traffic incidents and near misses. "Surely prevention, safety and peace of mind should inform the criteria not statistics," the group states in their petition.
Challenging National Guidelines
The petition directly challenges the current criteria used by the council, which follows national guidance recommending average speed cameras only for roads with a substantial history of serious or fatal collisions. The campaigners argue this approach neglects proactive safety measures.
"Prevention and peace of mind for residents is therefore not the focus or concern," the petition declares. "As the criteria is based on national guidelines only, we believe it is in the power of Coventry City Council to change the criteria."
Regional Context of Speed Enforcement
This local campaign comes against a backdrop of increasing average speed camera installations across the Midlands region. In nearby Birmingham, sections of the Ring Road, Hagley Road, the A38 and A34 all now operate under average speed enforcement systems.
West Midlands Police Camera Enforcement explains that such systems are "intended to positively influence driver behaviour and ensure that motorists comply with the set limits on roads, resulting in a safer environment for all road users." Clear signage typically informs drivers when they are entering an average speed control zone.
Petition Deadline and Council Response
The online petition, available through the Coventry City Council website, has a closing date for all signatures set for March 13. Campaigners hope to gather sufficient public support to persuade local authorities to reconsider their approach to road safety on these identified routes.
The debate highlights growing community concerns about traffic safety in urban areas, with residents increasingly calling for preventive measures before serious accidents occur, rather than reactive solutions implemented only after tragedies happen.
