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Was angry driver to blame for Tolworth traffic camera fire?
6:50am Monday 11th May 2009
A red light camera which was set alight twice in one night this week could have been the victim of a revenge attack by a disgruntled driver, firefighters have said.
The camera, at the junction of Jubilee Way and Kingston Road in Tolworth, was seen smouldering at 2.15am on Tuesday, May 5.
Firefighters put it out and removed a petrol container but the arsonist returned and an hour later the camera was fully ablaze.
A car tyre was believed to have been placed around the camera, doused in petrol, then set on fire.
The heat produced from the burning tyre was enough to cause major damage to the camera, a firefighter said. The camera has been targeted on numerous occasions in the past few years.
He added: “It was a serious case of road rage I think. They wanted to make sure they finished the job, so went back a second time.”
A spokesman from Transport for London said red light cameras have proven to save lives and reduce injuries.
He said: “It is disappointing to see this mindless vandalism and we await the conclusion of the police investigation into this case before we can begin repairing this camera.”
• What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Your Say YourLondon
ric, kingston says...
9:47am Mon 11 May 09
yeah thats really safe.
the cameras may save a few more lives. but how many more accidents do they cause?
martnal, Teddington says...
12:36pm Mon 11 May 09
There are too many folk these days who had no discipline at school, then moan when the reality of the big wide world hits home. if you don't like a law, there are approved means by which you can do something about them. Until then, the rest of us would be grateful for your cooperation. And your penalty contributions.
And if someone drives into the back of you, it's their responsibility.
Nayhead, london says...
1:50pm Mon 11 May 09
Yes and make lots of money for the council too.
ric, kingston says...
2:25pm Mon 11 May 09
im not talking about breaking the law here. im talking about taking peoples attention away from the crossing or junction. to look at a camera. or un nessesary hard braking. you can do that at 30mph too by the way!
how is that safe?
nearly every speed camera has a set of skid marks leading up to it. again, is putting something in the road that causes people to slam on their brakes a good idea?
also, only last month i read on this website about them removing flowers from road accident sites because it distracts drivers?
where is the logic in that then?
i bet you drive a volvo.
ric, kingston says...
2:25pm Mon 11 May 09
im not talking about breaking the law here. im talking about taking peoples attention away from the crossing or junction. to look at a camera. or un nessesary hard braking. you can do that at 30mph too by the way!
how is that safe?
nearly every speed camera has a set of skid marks leading up to it. again, is putting something in the road that causes people to slam on their brakes a good idea?
also, only last month i read on this website about them removing flowers from road accident sites because it distracts drivers?
where is the logic in that then?
i bet you drive a volvo.
Chuckwallah, Chessington says...
1:25pm Tue 19 May 09
martnal, Teddington says...
1:48pm Tue 19 May 09
Cameras would not be a distraction, nor generate skid marks, if they were hidden.
The shift keys at each end of the keyboard enable the use of capital letters at the start of sentences.
Was angry driver to blame for Tolworth camera fire?
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Fed up in Chase, Wimbledon says...
9:39am Mon 11 May 09