Bold statement upfront: speeding isn’t just a rule—it's a matter of safety and community responsibility, and Devon’s 30mph camera controversy tests exactly how far a community is willing to go to curb risk. But here’s where it gets controversial… a speed camera in Devon that captured 6,000 drivers in its first three months has drawn strong support from local councillors while provoking questions about process and standards.
In Teignbridge Council, Cllr Sally Morgan (Lib Dem, Bovey) urged residents to “own the consequences of your actions and slow down,” encapsulating the core message behind the device. The council then mostly rejected a motion from Cllr Phil Bullivant (Con, Bradley) that would have pushed the highways authority for transparency on the camera’s installation: why it was placed, who decided when and where, and how many tickets were issued for speeds at or above 35mph. He also questioned whether Ashburton Road’s installation met national guidelines for camera locations. Bullivant shared a personal anecdote, claiming a family member received a ticket for passing a camera at 34mph, underscoring his claim that the device may not align with the Association of Chief Police Officers’ threshold of 35mph for enforcement. He argued that speed limits must be respected and demanded clarity and checks and balances to ensure installations conform to standards.
Council leadership, led by Richard Keeling (Lib Dem, Chudleigh), countered with a blunt refrain: if you don’t want to speed, don’t speed on that road. Fellow Lib Dems, including Cllr Rosie Dawson (Dawlish North East) and Cllr Colin Parker (Buckland and Milber), defended the camera by highlighting the purpose of speed cameras in places where children or vulnerable people are at risk. They pointed to a broader sense of responsibility and the camera’s role in deterrence. The Road Safety Team for Devon and Cornwall Police, working with Devon County Council and the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, stated that the camera was installed to reduce danger on a road with nearby amenities and a history of injuries. The camera’s placement is close to a playground, a family centre, and sheltered accommodation, and nine injury-related collisions occurred on that stretch in five years.
Officials note that warning signs for the camera were posted, even though signs weren’t legally required. Police data indicate the camera is having a tangible effect: monthly activations are decreasing, and the latest figures show only about three drivers per thousand exceed the threshold speed. In other words, the camera appears to be slowing traffic over time.
The motion to endorse Cllr Bullivant’s concerns was decisively defeated by the council, reinforcing a stance that prioritizes precautionary measures to protect pedestrians and vulnerable groups over demands for exhaustive procedural disclosures.
Want more DevonLive reporting like this? If you’d like DevonLive to be your preferred source on Google for more exclusives and top stories, you can set that preference here: https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=devonlive.com. For additional DevonLive coverage, explore more stories about Newton Abbot, Teignbridge, Dawlish, and local governance.
What’s your take? Do speed cameras on busy roads with nearby schools and care facilities improve safety even if they raise questions about process and standards? Is there a better balance between transparency and effective deterrence? Share your view in the comments.
