Dundee councillors have voiced concern after new figures showed more than 1600 motorists had been caught speeding on the city’s roads this year.
Data from the Tayside Safety Camera Partnership show that an average of nine drivers a day were detected breaking the speed limit for the opening six months of 2011, indicating a significant increase over the previous year.
The statistics, obtained by The Courier, show that between January and June a total of 1670 drivers had been captured speeding within the Dundee area, compared to 2253 for the whole of 2010.
Although increased patrols by the camera partnership may explain the rise, the figures would indicate a marked increase for the year should the trend continue.
George Regan, Dundee East End councillor, represents constituents on the A92 Greendykes Road where 349 culprits had been detected breaking the speed limit.
He fears anti-speeding measures are simply not working and urged Transport Scotland, which maintains the country’s trunk roads, to improve signs on the route.
“It’s terrifying that we’ve still not found a way of slowing people down on that road. We have crossings to try and make people slow down,but it is obvious that this is failing,” Mr Regan said.
“Maybe we need solar traffic signs that tell people if they are speeding or not. It’s a trunk road, and I would definitely call on the government to take further action.”
Of the city’s 12 detection spots, three lie on the A90 Kingsway where 658 drivers were detected speeding between January and the end of June.
A new camera site on the A90 Forfar Road at Fountainbleau Drive another reason for the apparent increase in speeding captured a further 291 motorists driving above the limit.
Coldside councillor David Bowes said, “Over 1600 is high, especially when it is on the Kingsway and Greendykes Road which are near schools.
“The Kingsway is well signposted as a 50mph limit and so people should be paying more attention. It’s a real cause for concern.”
The Tayside Safety Camera Partnership has vowed to continue clamping down on drivers who fail to adhere to speed limits in the city.
A spokesperson said, “It’s hard to say why people continue to speed. We like to think that people are getting the message that we are there for a good reason, but as long as people continue to speed, we will continue to enforce.”