Motorists 'more accepting of speed cameras'

The majority of UK drivers feel that speed cameras have made roads safer, according to results of the Institute for Advanced Motorists’ (IAM) annual speed camera survey.

Results showed that 82 per cent of people thought it was acceptable for authorities to use speed cameras, while 85 per cent believe they have helped towards the decline in road deaths since the 1990s.

Around 45 per cent of people still don’t trust them and think that raising cash is the main reason for their use, however.

At the same time, 72 per cent of respondents think that speed awareness courses are a good idea.

Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said: “Simply catching and fining drivers does not change drivers’ awareness of the hazards of excessive speed. The popularity of speed awareness courses show that the public thinks training is the best option.

“Speed cameras are an essential part of the policing toolkit and are becoming more and more accepted, but it’s clear that some people need reassuring about their purpose and funding.”

Attitudes towards speed cameras have changed somewhat over the past five years. In 2007, 30 per cent of people said they were unacceptable - this has now dropped to 16 per cent.

Feelings towards speed cameras varies across the home nations, though. They're least popular in Wales, with 32 per cent of people thinking their use was unacceptable.

They were more popular in Scotland where just 15 per cent felt they were not acceptable. Meanwhile, 20 per cent of people in England didn’t think they're acceptable.