ERIC Leaver (LET, April 24) appears to see the installation of fixed speed cameras in monetary terms only.

If he is serious about the study of costs, he should have referred to the official government statistics, which state that each road death costs £1,370,481 and each injury an average of £75,114.

He should be able to compare the enormous cost of the deaths and injuries in Lancashire last year with the much lower cost of the speed cameras. At least a third of the 70 deaths and 10,000 injuries in Lancashire last year were caused by inappropriate speed.

The installation cost of the cameras will have been recovered if seven deaths are prevented but, more importantly, the saving in terms of human suffering for every death or injury is immeasurable.

In a pilot study of traffic safety cameras, deaths and injuries at accident blackspots fell on average by 47 per cent, compared to the average of the previous three years.

Surely, even Mr Leaver should be able to see that such statistics cannot be ignored and that it makes sense, even economically, to install the speed cameras.

It is speed that determines the severity of injuries in any crash and it is speed which is the major cause of at least a third of all crashes. Any reduction in the number of injuries will redirect resources to the health service for the benefit of those who have serious illnesses.

The cameras are not there to generate revenue for Lancashire Police Force but to save lives and this is why his article was so distasteful.

Every day in this country, 10 families face the dreadful trauma following death on the road. Any initiative to reduce this appalling loss of life is to be commended, not derided.

Mr Leaver's article has caused great offence to those who have been bereaved or injured through road crashes. Any victims are welcome to telephone the RoadPeace helpline for support on 020 8964 1021, between 9am and 9pm, or by writing to PO Box 2579, London, NW10 3PW.

MARGARET HIGHTON, RoadPeace North West, Cornbrook, Skelmersdale.