Speed cameras reduce road deaths

The number of speed cameras on UK roads is likely to increase after a report showed the number of deaths and serious injuries fell by 35% on highways where more were installed.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said the drop in casualties - which represent 280 people - showed that no government could justify getting rid of the cameras, which have sparked rage among some motorists.

While some road safety groups welcomed the news, other driving organisations condemned a move to increase the number of speed cameras.

Nigel Humphries from the Association of British Drivers said they were a "bullying tool".

He added: "However much the Government denies it, there is a budget for catching people and the cameras are for generating revenue.

"What we need are properly trained police officers dealing with dangerous drivers and we need to improve the road network.

"95% of people who are caught speeding are not driving in a dangerous way."

An experimental pilot scheme was conducted in eight areas of the UK and then extended to another 25.

A spokeswoman for the safety camera partnerships said it was hoped the remainder of the 43 police authorities in England and the eight in Wales would join up, leading to more cameras on roads.

The eight police forces in Cleveland, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Strathclyde, Essex, South Wales and the Thames Valley were allowed to keep most of the proceeds of speeding fines generated by cameras to invest in more of them. Motorists paid some £27 million in fines, of which £21 million went on new cameras and £6 million to the Treasury.

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