Estonia, Legislation, Technology, Transport

The master's degree study of Estonian Academy of Security Sciences student Mari Draba indicated that while from 2008, the average driving speed started to fall on the highway, since 2011, or when the cameras started to fine drivers, the average speed at the Tallinn-Tartu highway has increased and the number of traffic accidents with human casualties has stayed unchanged.

Studies indicate that when the speed of driving increases by 1 km/h, the number of traffic accidents that end in death increases by over 4%. "In the light of that knowledge it is very regrettable that the average speed at the Tallinn-Tartu highway has increased in the past year," said Mari Draba.

Experts who were interviewed during the study indicate that the automatic traffic control on highways should be expanded to reduce the number of drivers who know the locations of the cameras and who drive properly only there. Experts also say the visibility in places at the highway is not good and the composition of vehicles is very motley, which makes traffic nervous and passing other vehicles more dangerous.

Estonian Academy of Security Sciences rector Lauri Tabur said that studies of other states indicate that speed cameras result in the fall of number or speeding cars and fall of average driving speed. "Unfortunately in Estonia the situation is contrary. Drivers consider the speed cameras as "impediments" and try to make up lost time in the stretches between them," added Tabur.