Darling unveils new speed camera policy

From 2007-08, cameras will become part of wider local authority road safety schemes including clearer signposting of cameras and a review of speed limits.

Speed cameras will still collect fines, but the money they raise will no longer be used just to supply more cameras.

Instead, the government will allocate 110m a year for the four years from 2007-08 for local authorities to fund all types of road safety measures.

Mr Darling made his announcement as he published an independent report into the impact of speed cameras on road safety.

The report found 1,745 fewer people every year were killed or seriously injured in areas using speed cameras. In 2004, the lowest-ever number of people died in road accidents in the UK.

"This report is clear proof that safety cameras save lives," Mr Darling said. "There are hundreds of people alive today who would otherwise be dead.

"But I want cameras to be linked more closely to wider road safety. That is why I am increasing the amount of money available for spending on road safety, giving them a new fund of 110m."…

The independent report, carried out by University College London and PA Consulting, found:

The number of vehicles exceeding the speed limit fell by 70% at fixed camera sites

On average, the number of killed and seriously injured fell by around 50% at fixed sites and around 35% at mobile sites

After allowing for the general trend of improving road safety, there was a 42% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured

There was around 4,230 fewer personal injury collisions per year.

'The Guardian', 15 December 2005