Speed survey data used to inform the decision to install safety cameras: EIR release

Information requested

The full speed survey data which was used to inform the decision to install safety cameras. Can you please also include the number of collisions, how many of which had speed as a contributing factor and how many of which were fatal.

This information was requested regarding 24 new safety camera sites published on 8 September.

As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Transport Scotland does not have some of the information you have requested. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. This is because you have asked for the full speed survey data which was used to inform the decision to install safety cameras which is held by Police Scotland who can be contacted at foi@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

This exception is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. While we recognise that there may be some public interest in information about survey data, clearly we cannot provide information which we do not hold.

However, please see Annex A to this response for the summarised speed survey data we hold.

Please note there are two speed tests used to assess sites which meet the minimum requirement for injury collisions.

(1) The 85th percentile speed during free-flow conditions must equal or exceed the posted speed limit by 10% plus 2mph i.e. 35mph in a 30mph zone; Or
(2) There must be an agreed minimum number of vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit by 10% plus 2mph i.e. 35mph in a 30mph zone measured over a time period which aligns with the collision profile for the route.

Please see Annex B to this response for information regarding the number of collisions, which had
speed as a contributing factor including the number of fatalities. 

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202000085649 - Annex A

File type

6 page PDF

File size

209.2 kB

FOI 202000085649 - Annex B

File type

4 page PDF

File size

106.5 kB