Nearly half of speed cameras in London are switched off, says Met

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The cameras, which were put out of action when new guidelines were issued in 2001, have been left in place to deter motorists from speeding.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 323 Gatsos - named after their inventor Maurice Gatsonides - across London were inactive but remained in place.

About 40 per cent of the Gatsos installed in the Nineties failed to meet Department for Transport criteria about where they could be put and were therefore decommissioned.

A spokesman for the Met said: "In 2007-08, 323 speed safety camera housings were not subject to enforcement deployment. They are there but there is no camera inside, or they are turned off.

"However inactive sites continue to play a role in deterring speeding."

But anti-Gatso campaign groups have demanded that the unused machines be removed. Claire Armstrong, co-founder of Safe Speed, said: "Cameras distract motorists. They're so busy looking at the camera, then the speedo, then the camera again, that they can't concentrate on the road.

"If speed cameras are not going to be used then they should be torn out of the ground or have a 'not in use' sign put on them."

Police in the West Midlands said 32per cent of their cameras are switched off and 22 per cent are off in Avon and Somerset.

About 31 drivers in London are caught on camera every hour.

The news coincides with a report from the Government's transport advisers which says that cars should be fitted with speed-limiting devices.

The report by the Commission for Integrated Transport and the Motorists' Forum said that the device - which automatically slows down a car if it exceeds the legal limit by way of satellites - will cut emissions and reduce road accidents by 29 per cent.

It said that drivers who were involved in trials enjoyed not having to worry about breaking the speed limit.

However, some motoring groups are likely to reject the proposals, saying the Government overestimates the importance of speed in causing accidents.