Row over cameras

The Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership believes using mobile speed cameras on the motorway has contributed to a reduction of between 44 and 57 per cent.

But the Association of British Drivers (ABD) believes the figures are unrealistic given that fewer than 15 per cent of crashes on the M4 in Wiltshire had excess speed as one of their causes. "There's some-thing very odd," said the ABD's director of policy Mark McArthur-Christie. "We have a speed camera partnership claiming credit for reducing accidents that weren't even caused by speeding."

The ABD believes the partnership is being selective in statistics reports. Mr McArthur-Christie added: "The camera partnership is taking credit for falls in deaths but the fatality rate in 2005 (two) was identical to that in 1999 and 2000 despite the cameras only starting in 2005."

Serious injuries are down but the ABD says this is seen across all roads as technological developments, like air-bags and seatbelt ten-sioners, save lives.

When the M4 cameras were first introduced, the ABD was prevented from having access to the motorway's crash statistics. It was only after being forced to pay more than £100 that the group was allowed to see the figures. And the ABD says inattention, failure to judge other drivers' speed and changing lanes without looking were the biggest killers. "The presence of cameras may be forcing drivers to pay more attention but the threat of prosecution will not improve safety," said Mr McArthur-Christie.

Last May hundreds took to the M4 to protest against the cameras and two convoys, organised by Robin Summerhill of Chippenham, travelled at 56mph from Leigh Delamere to Membury services.

Representatives from the partnership said they were adamant that the cameras had made the motorway safer. Manager of the partnership David Frampton said: "The signs and cameras encourage motorists to slow down. ''