Speed cameras 'help to save lives'

Date: 24/8/2010

A group of road safety organisations have spoken out about the dangers of switching off speed cameras.

The set of nine bodies, which includes the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the London Road Safety Council, have signed a joint statement.

In doing so, they hope to raise public awareness of speed cameras' role in reducing road casualties after it was suggested some local authorities might switch off the devices in order to make budget cuts.

The communique states speed cameras save an estimated 100 lives a year in the UK and should continue to be used in locations where casualty statistics are high.

Switching the equipment off would almost cause a "void in law enforcement" on the roads, the petition continues, as they currently account for 84 per cent of fixed penalty notices for speeding.

Last month, Theresa Casbard, Hertfordshire's head of road safety, told This is Local London that speed cameras are helping to reduce the number of motoring accidents in the region.

Posted by Sarah Bailey