Oxfordshire Plans Average Speed Cameras on Deadly A420 Road

Authorities in Oxfordshire are considering new measures to improve road safety on dangerous roads such as Morrell Avenue and the A420, which have seen numerous crashes and fatalities. Residents and local officials have called for speed cameras on Morrell Avenue after a serious crash highlighted the dangers of speeding, with recorded speeds far exceeding the 20mph limit. Separately, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, announced early plans to install average speed cameras along the A420, described as one of the deadliest roads in the region, to reduce casualties and improve enforcement efficiency. These average speed cameras track a vehicle's speed over a distance, potentially offering better compliance than fixed speed cameras, and could be supplemented by mobile speed units on motorbikes. While the scheme is still in the feasibility stage and no cameras are currently installed outside motorways in the Thames Valley, officials emphasize the importance of political will and resource allocation to make roads safer. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised in other regions about the use of speed cameras primarily as revenue tools rather than for safety, underscoring the need for transparency and justification for their deployment.