Speed cameras: Are they the limit?

However, along with the expansion comes tough new rules that have been announced in a bid to quell drivers' fears of more cameras.

Eight police force areas took part in the pilot scheme which showed that for a mere 1mph reduction in average speeds of vehicles, casualties are reduced by a huge five per cent.

As a result, the scheme is now being expanded to other areas -- Derbyshire, North Wales and Staffordshire and Lancashire, which could include motorists in Edgworth, Turton and Belmont.

Yet many drivers are saying they feel speed cameras are wrong because they are installed in places where they cannot be seen clearly.

However, Hugh German, vice-chairman of the Bolton Advanced Motorists Institute, says: "The only drivers who are worried about speed cameras are the drivers who speed. And the only time they don't drive over the speed limit is when they are aware that there is a speed camera in the vicinity."

The new rules on cameras are aimed at removing the "secrecy" of a camera's location and on stopping bad driving rather than the cameras being used to impose an unofficial tax through a fine.

Police will also have to provide statistical evidence that a proposed site for a camera is a well-known accident blackspot for speed-related accidents.

Claire Price, spokesman for the AA's Bolton area, agrees: "I think the majority of this country's drivers would agree on the need for cameras being placed in a notorious accident blackspot.

"It's when they think money is being made, in the form of fines, through cameras that are 'hidden' on a stretch of road that they become unhappy with them. People believe that it is more a case of police trying to 'capture' rather than deter someone from driving too fast."

Now forces will have to prove the cameras are being installed in blackspot areas. Once in place, the cameras will also have to be clearly visible to the motorist with warning signs in place.

If this criteria is not followed, the revenue from the devices will be confiscated. Currently most forces have to hand over the £60 to the Treasury but in the year-long pilot scheme the eight areas have been allowed to keep the cash and plough it back into the installation of more cameras plus providing existing ones with new film.

Home Secretary David Blunkett has ruled that the cameras will now have to be painted bright orange -- leaving no excuse for motorists to claim they cannot see them.

A spokesman for the road safety division of Bolton Council said: "This scheme is driven by the Vehicle Crimes Act 2001 and sees people from partnerships, such as the police, working with local councils.

"While there is no doubt that speed cameras certainly bring about a clear reduction in people being injured in speed-related accidents, what we must also do is bring about a change of people's attitudes to road safety as a whole."

Hugh German agrees: "If someone is inclined to drive too fast for the legal speed limits, then I believe nothing will change that. No matter how many speed cameras are installed, all those drivers will do is simply slam on their brakes when they know they are approaching a camera.

"I heard of such an incident a few weeks ago when a driver who was going too fast slammed on his brakes because he had seen a speed camera. He did it so quickly, the car behind went straight into the back of him.

"Now who caused that accident? If only people would adhere to the speed limits the roads would be a much safer place and, in turn, limits may eventually be raised."

The AA's Claire Price added: "Every camera should have a clear reminder of the speed limit. That way the emphasis would be on drivers adhering to the speed limits rather than being punished for driving too fast.

"And it's important these new cameras are installed at accident blackspots and not just on long stretches of roads."

Bolton road safety spokesman added: "If Greater Manchester Police wanted to take part in the scheme they would have to discuss the issue with all 10 GM authorities which includes Bolton. But I don't believe there is any definite proposal yet."

Insp Geoff Minshull from GMP Road Safety Department said: "We are looking at the scheme but want to see results before we decide whether to take part and, if the answer is yes, then we would have to discuss it with the 10 authorities.

"But, I would like to stress that if GMP did take part, we are only interested in casualty reduction not generation of revenue." FACTFILE The scheme has resulted in a doubling the number of speeding tickets issued by the eight forces -- Thames Valley, Strathclyde, South Wales, Essex, Cleveland, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire -- with almost 200,000 motorists having been fined a total of £12 million

41pc of motorists found speed cameras "very acceptable", down from 53pc in 1999

83pc of motorists found them "acceptable", down from 87pc in 1999

41pc of drivers claimed the police aim is to make money from the devices, compared to the 20pc in 1999

Figures provided by AA report